Minor blast near Israeli embassy in Delhi, Israel says ‘terrorist incident’

The area has been cordoned off and officers are scanning CCTV cameras installed nearby to ascertain the sequence of events, police said.

No clues from CCTVs outside Israel embassy

A crude bomb went off near the Embassy of Israel on Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Road on Friday evening, shattering windscreens of three cars on the road.(Express photo)

A low-intensity explosion was reported at Abdul Kalam Road near the Israel Embassy on Friday evening. No injuries have been reported and initial investigation has revealed that a bomb was planted in a flower pot on a road divider. The windshields of three cars on the opposite carriageway were damaged in the explosion.

During investigation, a team of Delhi Police also found a letter addressed to embassy officials in an envelope.

The incident took place when the President, Vice-President, Prime Minister and the three chiefs of the defence forces were present a few kilometres away at the Beating Retreat ceremony.

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Security officials at the spot.

Meanwhile, news agency Reuters citing an official on condition of anonymity reported that Israel is treating the blast as a “terrorist incident”.

Additional PRO (Delhi Police) Anil Mittal said the incident took place at 5.05 pm when a low-intensity improvised device went off outside 5 Abdul Kalam Road near Jindal House. “No injury to any person is there, nor any damage to property was witnessed except window panes of three vehicles parked nearby. Initial impressions suggest a mischievous attempt to create a sensation,” he said.

After receiving a PCR call, local district police and officials of the Special Cell and intelligence agencies reached the spot and called in forensic experts teams. The area has been cordoned off and officers are scanning CCTV cameras installed nearby to ascertain the sequence of events, police said.

On February 13, 2012, Israeli diplomat Tal Yehoshua and an Indian driver of the embassy vehicle were among four people injured in a blast after a magnetic bomb stuck to the vehicle went off in the capital.

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S Jaishankar dialls Israeli FM

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday said that he spoke to his Israeli counterpart Gabi Ashkenazi regarding the explosion outside the Israeli embassy and assured him of “fullest protection” to diplomats and the mission.

Spoke just now to Israeli FM @Gabi_Ashkenazi about the explosion outside the Israeli Embassy. We take this very seriously. Assured him of the fullest protection for the Embassy and Israeli diplomats. Matter is under investigation and no effort will be spared to find the culprits.

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) January 29, 2021

“Spoke just now to Israeli FM Gabi Ashkenazi about the explosion outside the Israeli Embassy. We take this very seriously. Assured him of the fullest protection for the Embassy and Israeli diplomats,” Jaishankar said in a tweet.

Inputs from agencies

Mahender Singh Manral

Mahender Singh Manral is an Assistant Editor with the national bureau of The Indian Express. He is known for his impactful and breaking stories. He covers the Ministry of Home Affairs, Investigative Agencies, National Investigative Agency, Central Bureau of Investigation, Law Enforcement Agencies, Paramilitary Forces, and internal security. Prior to this, Manral had extensively reported on city-based crime stories along with that he also covered the anti-corruption branch of the Delhi government for a decade. He is known for his knack for News and a detailed understanding of stories. He also worked with Mail Today as a senior correspondent for eleven months. He has also worked with The Pioneer for two years where he was exclusively covering crime beat. During his initial days of the career he also worked with The Statesman newspaper in the national capital, where he was entrusted with beats like crime, education, and the Delhi Jal Board. A graduate in Mass Communication, Manral is always in search of stories that impact lives. ... Read More

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