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Gas scarce following Ingushetia blast

MAGAS, Russia, Jan. 18 (UPI) -- More than 100,000 people were left without gas supplies when a gas pipeline exploded in the North Caucasus republic of Ingushetia, officials said.

The blast occurred on the Stavropol-Tbilisi pipeline. Emergency officials said initially that at least 230,000 customers were left without gas supplies, Russia's state-owned RIA Novosti reports.

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Regional gas transportation crews said they expected completion of the repair work to the damaged pipeline by the end of Monday.

Explosives teams deactivated two bombs that were discovered on a separate natural gas pipeline in Ingushetia in December. No rebel group took responsibility for that attack and the cause of the Monday disruption was not disclosed.

Islamic rebels from the republic near Chechnya, however, have fought with pro-Kremlin security forces and Russian troops in recent months.

More than 200,000 people in the North Caucasus republic of Dagestan were left without gas supplies following the bombing of a section of the Mozkok-Kazimagomed pipeline Tuesday.

The disruptions come amid a flurry of terrorist activity in south Russia.

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