QUETTA, Pakistan: The Taliban stormed a police station in Pakistan’s restive southwestern province of Baluchistan on Wednesday, triggering a shootout that killed a policeman and all three assailants, authorities said.
At least one other policeman was wounded in the attack in the town of Loralai, which was quickly claimed by the Pakistani Taliban.
According to district police chief Jawad Tariq, two suicide bombers detonated their explosives vests while the third militant was killed by police officers shortly after they came under attack.
“Because of the alertness of police, all three terrorists were killed,” Tariq said.
Mohammad Khurasani, a Taliban spokesman, gave no details about the attack.
Pakistan’s Baluchistan province has been the scene of a low-level insurgency by separatists demanding more autonomy and a greater share in the region’s natural resources, such as gas and oil.
Pakistani militant groups also have a presence in Baluchistan, which borders Afghanistan.
Taliban storm town police station in southwestern Pakistan, kill officer
Taliban storm town police station in southwestern Pakistan, kill officer
- Two suicide bombers detonated their explosive vests while police killed the third militant
- Balochistan province has witnessed low-level insurgency for some time
Pakistan’s OGDCL plans output boost as LNG supply risks rise
- OGDCL plans to raise gas output 5 percent and boost crude oil production 14 percent amid supply concerns
- Pakistan considers cutting LNG regasification as Qatari cargo disruptions raise supply risks
KARACHI: Pakistan’s state natural gas producer OGDCL is preparing to raise output for the first time in recent years as the ongoing conflict in the Middle East choked supply, its managing director said.
High electricity tariffs and rapid rooftop solar adoption have reduced demand for natural gas in recent years, forcing Pakistan to renegotiate long-term liquefied natural gas (LNG) import contracts with Qatar and domestic producers to cut output.
On Monday, Qatar halted LNG production after Iran targeted the country following the US-Israeli strikes over the weekend. Here are the new developments:
* OGDCL aims to raise natural gas output by 5 percent to 865 million cubic feet per day.
* The company also plans to boost crude oil production by 14 percent to 40,000 barrels per day, as the conflict has disrupted shipping through the crucial Strait of Hormuz.
* OGDCL’s Managing Director, Ahmed Lak, emphasized potential further increases with new discoveries. “This potential can be fully monetised subject to offtake by the buyers,” Lak said.
* Pakistan is exploring the option of reducing LNG terminal regasification due to undelivered Qatari cargoes, industry sources said.
* The move could relieve pressure on Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves, sources added.
