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.