Israeli security officials on Sunday thwarted a major terrorist attack when they identified and detained a Palestinian man attempting to board the city’s light rail with a bag full of pipe bombs.
The incident occurred along the busy pedestrian mall on Jaffa Road in downtown Jerusalem.
A security guard for the light rail noticed the suspect standing behind one of the pick-up points with a large bag. Feeling uneasy about his demeanor, the guard asked to examine the man’s bag and quickly noticed what appeared to be a bomb.
Police responded to the scene immediately and arrested the would-be terrorist at gunpoint, while sappers disposed of the explosives.
Officials said that had the terrorist been successful, a great many people could have died and been injured, as that portion of the light rail is usually packed with commuters during morning rush hour.
Originally posted at Israel Today Magazine.
