The water supply system, recently finished at a cost of 840 million rupees under the Public Health Engineering department, was badly damaged after armed men set it on fire, Dawn News reported.

“All pipelines have completely burnt down,” a police officer told the newspaper.

The project’s executive engineer told the newspaper that the pipeline was one of the first of its kind built in the region. It was meant to serve those suffering from water shortage.

“Burning the pipeline was an act of hostility against the people, as it has deprived the community of long-awaited access to safe drinking water,” the engineer said.

He said it will be repaired after the initial assessment of the damage.

Police are investigating the incident.