Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipeline blown up in Kars province

A group of terrorists arranged an explosion in the area of the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipeline in the Turkish province of Kars. According to the governor of the province, it was found out that the attack was "staged by militants of the PKK."

The incident occurred late last night on a section of the highway in Sarykamysh district. The attack involved about 20 militants. According to local television, the pipeline's fuel supply has been stopped, extinguishing the fireis underway.

Security forces arrived at the scene of emergency situation, all the surrounding areas are controlled by gendarmerie and military, TASS reports. Gunfights with militants are also reported.

The head of the Baku Oil Research Center, Ilham Shabanin, an interview with a correspondent of Vestnik Kavkaza stressed that the attack has already raised serious questions about the stability of exports of Azerbaijani gas to world markets.

"It is also, perhaps, a kind of message from the Kurds that they can organize attacks in the most peaceful province, the smallest province of Kars," the head of the Baku Oil Research Center suggested.

"In the near future Azerbaijan is preparing to build through Kars the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway. Therefore, the issue of security is a very important element of the regional large-scale projects," Ilham Shaban concluded.