Security forces combed the West Bank area for terrorists today in the wake of last night’s mortar bombardment of Petach Tikva in which one youth was injured and several houses and automobiles in the densely populated area were damaged.
The attack was the most daring yet by terrorists who, employing Viet Cong tactics, brought a two-Inch mortar within less than 2,000 feet of a residential area and fired off nine shells before making a speedy getaway in a car. The shells exploded in a nearby park and amid houses. The injured youth was standing with relatives outside his house when a shell landed nearby. He was hospitalized.
The mortar attack occurred shortly before midnight and sent residents scurrying to shelters. Army units rushed to the scene and set up roadblocks but not before the terrorists escaped. An alert was maintained today but the town functioned normally and all schools but one were open. It is believed that the attack was in the nature of a demonstration on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the United Nations’ Palestine partition resolution.
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