Terror attack thwarted after police dog finds pipe bomb in east Jerusalem

Border Police canine unit locates suspicious object containing an explosive device inside; sappers neutralize pipe bomb.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Updated: OCTOBER 16, 2015 13:19
Border Police officer and bomb-sniffing dog in Jerusalem on October 16, 2015 (photo credit: ISRAEL BORDER POLICE SPOKESMAN)
Border Police officer and bomb-sniffing dog in Jerusalem on October 16, 2015
(photo credit: ISRAEL BORDER POLICE SPOKESMAN)
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 called to the scene confirmed that the object was an explosive, closed the premises and neutralized the device.
Authorities said the explosive could have caused deaths among security forces at the checkpoint or among civilians if it had been transferred to the western side of the city. 

(Pipe bomb detonated at a checkpoint near Issawiya. Video credit: Police Spokesperson's Unit)

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.
Tensions remained high on Friday as Hamas called for a "day of rage" against Israel after two weeks of violence.