Mines believed to have been made in Communist China were used by terrorists last night to blow up the offices for regional water installations in the upper Jordan Valley, Israeli officials reported today. Because the installations do not function during the winter season, no personnel was present. Pumps and an electric power unit were undamaged.
The officials said the blast occurred shortly after midnight, when the mines were electronically detonated. The pumping station is located near the Yarmuk River, south of the Shaar Hagolah kibbutz. The installation provides water for many collectives in the area, including Kinneret, Degania, Beth Zera and Affikim.
Terrorists who left pamphlets signed by El Fatah, one of several Arab guerrilla groups operating against Israel, cut their way through barbed wire fences to enter the area and plant the mines. Footprints of five persons were found leading to the Yarmuk River. The intruders apparently crossed the Yarmuk into Jordan.
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