IED blast in high-security zone 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. 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.
According to counterterrorism operatives, the improvised explosive device (IED) used was in all probability an ammonium nitrate-fuel oil device with a basic timer, though a final confirmation of that would come after a lab test.
While CCTV footage is being examined by special cell and counterterrorism operatives for closer analysis, the device appeared to be “preliminary” as it left a crater only nine inches deep. It had small ball bearings, which became shrapnels on explosion. The car windows were shattered due to wave concussion.
“Given the nature of the device, it seems the IED was made at the behest of a cyber handler and placed by a radicalised element,” said a senior counterterrorism official, adding that the matter was being taken very seriously because of the sensitivity of the location.
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 one of the officials 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.
Doval spoke to his Israeli counterpart Meir Ben-shabbat and assured the protection of
Israeli diplomats and missions, people familiar with the development said. Delhi Police Commissioner SN Shrivastava said, “A case has been registered and the special cell is investigating.”
Foreign secretary Harsh Shringla spoke to his Israeli counterpart Alon Ushpitz while sectetary Sanjay Bhattacharyya, who oversees relations with West Asia, spoke to Israeli ambassador Ron Malka.
In Jerusalem, the Israeli foreign ministry said, “There were no casualties in the blast, and no damage to the building”. It added, “The incident is under investigation by the authorities in India, who are in contact with the relevant Israeli authorities.”
“This explosion happens exactly when we mark 29 years [of] the establishment of full diplomatic relations between Israel and India, and especially in these days, the strong and warm friendship between Israel and India reflects itself,” Malka said in a video message.
“We get full cooperation and support from the local police, from the Indian authorities, the ministry of external affairs, the secretary of external affairs, the NSA – they all called their counterparts in Israel, offered their support,” Malka added.
The area where the blast took place mainly houses embassies and consulates, including the embassy of Brazil which is not more than 100 metres away from the blast spot.
Locals, who heard the blast, said it seemed to be impactful and must have been heard over kilometres.
This is not the first time such an incident has been reported from the Lutyens’ zone. On February 13, 2012, a sticky bomb was placed on the car of an Israeli diplomat, Tal Yehoshua Koren, who received injuries in the incident.
The bombers in that attack are yet to be caught even after eight years. Delhi Police’s special cell had even visited Tehran to investigate that attack but there has been no headway till date. The only person arrested in the case, a journalist, is out on bail.