KHAIRPUR, March 5: Supply of natural gas to Nawabshah, Sanghar, Sukkur, Khairpur, Nausharo Feroze and some other areas was disrupted after the main gas line was blown up near village Khenyari by a home-made bomb early on Monday morning.

The blast caused a large crater in the ground.

Police officials from Faiz Ganj and Thari Mirwah sealed the area and reinforcements were also called in from different police stations and people of the area were informed over mosque loud-speakers about the incident. A bomb disposal team called from Sukkur told newsmen that the pipeline had been blown up by a home-made bomb.

A press release issued by the Sui Southern Gas Company said the 16-inch diameter pipeline was carrying 20mm cfd of gas from Nawabshah to Sukkur.

The supply of gas to the pipeline was shut down and arrangements were made to provide gas to domestic consumers in Lakhi, Sukkur, Rohri, Pir Jo Goth, Kot Diji, Ranipur, Kumb, Setharja and Mehrabpur through the available line pack.

However, the supply will be discontinued after depletion of the line pack. The press release said that engineers and technicians were carrying out repair work which would be completed by Tuesday morning.