Quetta, Jan 23 (IANS): Saboteurs blew up two gas pipelines in Pakistan's Balochistan province Friday, media reported.

A senior police official told Dawn on the condition of anonymity that the saboteurs blew up an 18-inch gas pipeline near Dera Murad Jamali city, in Naseerabad district.

The explosion caused suspension of gas supply to the Uch power plant.

The police official said the saboteurs had planted explosive materials close to the gas pipeline. "The explosive materials went off with a big bang," he added.

In another incident, militants blew up a six-inch gas pipeline in the Sohbat Pur district of Balochistan.

Muhammad Akram, a police official, said gas supply to different villages of the Sohbat Pur district was suspended as a result of the sabotage.

There has been no claim of responsibility for the incidents, though police suspect that Baloch separatist groups could be behind the attack.

Sabotage of gas pipelines, which is frequently witnessed in Balochistan, is a characteristic tactic of tribal militants. The province is known to suffer from Taliban attacks.