Border Police canine unit locates suspicious object containing an explosive device inside; sappers neutralize pipe bomb.
A Border Police canine unit on Friday foiled a possible terror attack seemingly intended to target the security forces after detecting an explosive device at a checkpoint next to east Jerusalem’s Issawiya neighborhood.
During operational sweeps of the area near the Hebrew University on Mount Scopus, a Border Police bomb-sniffing dog and handler located the suspicious object that encased a pipe bomb.
Police sappers were called to the scene to neutralize the explosive device that authorities said could have caused deaths among security forces at the checkpoint or among innocent civilians if it had been transferred to the western side of the city.
Border Police officers stationed at the checkpoint were inspecting outgoing traffic from the neighborhood in the direction of Ma’ale Adumim in order to deter any possible terror activity from taking place.
Sergeant major Haim Sabag, head of the Jerusalem Border Police’s Canine Unit lauded the detection activity, saying it saved lives.
“The officers are devoted to operating for the sake of the security of residents of the capital and its many visitors,” said Aviad Katfi, commander of Jerusalem Border Police superintendent.
He added that security forces would continue to work toward restoring order and security to the area.
As reported by The Jerusalem Post