Two Palestinian teens arrested by Border Guard officers found in possession of five pipe bombs; explosives defused safely

A terror attack was thwarted Saturday following the arrest of two Palestinian teens by Border Guard and police officers, near the Tapuach Junction in the West Bank.

The two, both 17, took a taxi to the junction and upon arrival began walking towards the checkpoint.

Their behavior aroused the suspicion of Border Guard and police officers stationed at the checkpoint, who called on them to stop for a routine search. The teens attempted to flee and the officers initiated suspect-arrest protocol, eventually apprehending them.

A search of their belongings discovered five pipe bombs, a gun and munitions.

The two, who are residents of the Balata refugee camp in Nablus, were handed over to security forces for further interrogation.

Border Guard sappers were called to the scene and safely defused the bombs.

The defense establishment said that terror groups are pursuing various ways to execute attacks against Israeli targets, despite the relative calm following the last round of escalation vis-à-vis the Gaza terror groups.

Local Border Guard force Chief Superintendent Avi Biton told Ynet that, "shortly prior to the suspect´s arrival at the checkpoint, the officers heard a small blast.

"Two of our officers then saw the two, who were acting visibly nervous as they approached the checkpoint. The soldiers ran up to them, and at first they tried to resist arrest, but we were able to get them under control." Biton said that sappers were called to the scene immediately upon the explosives´ discovery, adding that "The initial explosion was probably meant to take out the checkpoint itself.

"The officers´ vigilance undoubtedly prevented a terror attack. Those bombs could have caused sever damage, especially as the local bus stops are packed on Saturday night," he said. (Copyright 2012 © Yedioth Internet 04/21/12)