Bombs defused on gas pipeline

MAGAS, Russia, Dec. 14 (UPI) -- Weapons experts Monday defused two bombs planted near a natural gas pipeline in Russia's volatile Ingushetia region, authorities said.

The bombs, made from hand grenades, were found Sunday night on the gas line running from Mozdok in Russia's North Ossetia to Georgia, RIA Novosti reported.

Gas supplies to Ingushetia, North Ossetia and Armenia were cut while weapons experts defused the bombs and searched other parts of the pipeline, said a spokesman for Gazprom, the giant Russian energy utility. Gas supplies to Georgia were not affected.

It was not known who planted the bombs, investigators said.

The predominately Muslim region of Ingushetia, which borders Chechnya, in recent months has seen a rise in attacks by Islamist rebels battling pro-Kremlin authorities and Russian security forces.