Six foreign tourists, who lost their way in the city, were rescued by the police in the early hours of Sunday 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.
Stopped at Rainawari
On reaching the 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.
Locals to the rescue
Some local residents tried to protect the 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.