Arson: Some Punjabis wake up to no natural gas

Locally made explosive device cuts supply to parts of province.

SUKKUR:

The gas supply to parts of the Punjab was suspended after the main pipeline from Hassan gas field was blown up near Choliyani village, Tangwani district early Friday morning.

The pipeline, 16 inches in diameter, is operated by the Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Ltd. Witnesses said that a huge explosion was heard immediately after which the pipeline caught fire, the flames of which could be seen up to two kilometres away.

A large number of law-enforcement officials reached the site and cordoned off the entire area.

Bomb disposal officials were sent to the area from Larkana. One of the officials, Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi, said that the bomb was locally made, weighed one kilogramme and was detonated via remote control.

A seven-foot long portion of the pipeline was blown away because of the blast, which also left a five-foot deep crater around the impact point.

Law-enforcement officials raided nearby villages and arrested six suspects in connection with the blast but no more details were disclosed.



Published in The Express Tribune, May 14^th, 2011.