Delhi on alert after minor blast near Israel embassy

NEW DELHI: A low-intensity blast was reported outside the Israeli embassy in the VVIP zone at Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Marg on Friday evening, around the time when security in Lutyens’ Delhi was on the highest alert due to the Beating Retreat ceremony at Rajpath. The blast came on the anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between India and Israel on January 29, 1992.

NEW DELHI: A low-intensity blast was reported outside the Israeli embassy in the VVIP zone at Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Marg on Friday evening, around the time when security in Lutyens’ Delhi was on the highest alert due to the Beating Retreat ceremony at Rajpath.

The blast came on the anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between India and Israel on January 29, 1992. Home minister Amit Shah, who cancelled a planned two-day visit to West Bengal after the incident, and national security adviser Ajit Doval went into a huddle with the security brass and Israel was informed by the government that the culprits will not be spared.

The target, officials said on condition of anonymity, was the Israeli embassy and the attackers were trying to send some sort of message. No terror group had claimed responsibility for the incident till the time of going to press.

The blast, which took place around 5.05pm after the suspects threw the bomb from a moving car, shattered the windowpanes of at least three cars but nobody was injured, according to Delhi Police.

An envelope was also found near the blast site in which the attackers are suspected to have left a message for the embassy.

Senior officials told HT that the blast was being investigated as a “terrorist attack” and “professional people were behind it”, although the identity of the group behind it was not known yet.

“Undoubtedly, it is a terror attack. It’s a work of professionals,” said an official cited above.

“It appears that the target was the Israeli embassy only but it was like a symbolic blast as nobody was injured. We don’t know yet which group is behind it but we will find them,” said the officer, requesting anonymity.

The explosion took place when the Beating Retreat ceremony was in full swing at Rajpath not more than one-and-ahalf kilometres away. It sparked panic among security agencies, compelling them to immediately shut the APJ Abdul Kalam Azad Road on which the embassy is situated.

“We take this very seriously,” external affairs minister S Jaishankar tweeted, announcing his

phone call about the explosion outside the Israeli embassy to his counterpart, Gabi Ashkenazi.

“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,” Jaishankar said after security personnel cordoned off the road leading to the embassy.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Eish Singhal confirmed

that it was an improvised device that exploded. “No one was reported injured and no damage to property was witnessed other than the windshields of three cars parked nearby,” Singhal said. The DCP said it looked like a mischievous attempt to create a sensation.

Investigators, who wished not to be named, said the explosive recovered from the spot was suspected to be ammonium nitrate.