A blast took place on Tuesday evening near the Israel embassy located in the New Delhi district but no explosive has been found yet. A letter addressed to the Israeli ambassador has been found near the country’s embassy in the national capital, minutes after reports of an explosion there. The letter, sources said, is typed and “abusive” in nature. The authenticity of the letter is being verified, police said. They also found a flag wrapped with the letter. The letter has been seized by the police.
Israeli embassy spokesperson Guy Nir said, "We can confirm that around 5:48 pm, there was a blast in close proximity to the embassy. Delhi Police and the security team are still investigating the situation."Deputy Chief of Mission (Israel) Ohad Nakash Kaynar said, "All our diplomats and workers are safe. Our security teams are working in full cooperation with local Delhi security and they will investigate the matter further."
The blast was reported to the authorities on a call by an unidentified caller to the Delhi Fire Service at around 6 pm earlier on Tuesday. The caller claimed that an explosion took place on an empty plot behind the Israeli Embassy. The identity of the caller, as well as the motive, is currently under investigation. Israel Embassy is located along Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Road in the national capital.
According to Delhi Fire Services officials, they received a call about the blast at 5:45 pm and it was transferred from the Delhi Police PCR (police control room). The fire department immediately sent two fire engines to the spot. Delhi Police and the security team are still investigating the situation." A guard deployed at Hindi Bhawan told the media that he heard a loud noise behind the embassy and informed the police. According to him, the incident took place at around 5 pm.
"This happened around 5 pm, I was on my duty and heard a huge sound. When I came out, I saw smoke coming from the top of a tree, that's all I saw...The police have taken my statement," he said. A team of Delhi Police's Special Cell has also reached the spot. The area has been cordoned off and security personnel have been deployed.
This comes amid a war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Earlier, Delhi Police had beefed up security around the Israeli embassy and Chabad House in the capital.
The local police stationed around the embassy in New Delhi and Chabad House, located in Chandni Chowk in central Delhi, had been directed to maintain a tight vigil. Additional police vehicles have been deployed outside the Israeli Embassy and the official residence of the Israeli Ambassador to India, Naor Gilon. Chabad House is a religious place of Jews in the Paharganj area of New Delhi.
