Six foreign tourists rescued by police

Srinagar: Six foreign tourists, who had lost their way in the city, were rescued by the police in the early hours today from a mob which allegedly mistook them for braid choppers.

The tourists -- three Australians and one person each from England, South Korea and Ireland -- were on their way to Srinagar from Leh in a vehicle when they lost their way while using Google Maps, a police official said

On reaching Kanikachi Lati locality in Rainawari area of the city, the four men and two women were stopped by a group of locals, who raised a hue and cry on spotting foreigners in the vehicle. People started gathering at the spot allegedly thinking they were braid choppers.

Some locals tried to protect the holed-up group and called the police which rescued them from the spot.

They were lodged in a nearby hotel and were seen off to their next destination, the official added.

Several incidents of braid chopping have been reported in Kashmir, leaving the valley on edge.