Blast near Israel embassy, 2 suspects caught on CCTV, ‘revenge’ letter found: Sources
A blast occurred close to the Israel embassy in New Delhi on Monday, following which security has been beefed up in the area.
The embassy has confirmed the incident, and no casualties or injuries have been reported. Sources said two suspects were caught on CCTV near the blast site and efforts are underway to track their movements and apprehend them. Delhi Police is also analysing footage from nearby cameras to reconstruct the suspects’ route to the embassy and uncover their potential accomplices.
A typed letter addressed to the Ambassador of the Israeli embassy, wrapped in an Israeli flag, was found near the blast site, sources told India Today TV. The letter, written in English, talks about Israel’s actions in Gaza and mentions ‘revenge’, sources said, adding that a group identifying itself as “Sir Allah Resistance” claimed responsibility for the blast.
The area was briefly cordoned off following the blast and was reopened later. The Delhi Police has launched an investigation into the blast.
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A loud explosion was reported near the Embassy of Israel in Chanakyapuri at around 5 pm on Tuesday. An unidentified caller who contacted the Delhi Police claimed that an explosion took place on an empty plot behind the mission. Bomb squads and special police teams were rushed to the spot and a search was conducted. However, nothing suspicious was found at the spot.
The Israel embassy confirmed the incident and stated that an investigation is underway. “We can confirm that around 5:08 pm, there was a blast in proximity to the embassy. The Delhi police and the security team are still investigating the situation,” the embassy’s spokesperson Guy Nir said on Tuesday evening. No embassy staff were injured in the incident.
The police conducted a long search in the area and a letter wrapped in an Israeli flag was found near the blast site. The one-page typed letter, which is “abusive” in nature, strongly criticised Israel’s actions in Gaza and also mentioned revenge, sources told India Today TV. The police have not revealed further details about the letter.
“Experts have examined the spot and lifted exhibits that may have evidentiary relevance. The same are being sent for forensic examination,” Delhi Police said in a statement.
The officials added that no traces of burnt explosives were found at the spot. Hence, the experts consider the possibility of a “chemical explosion”, news agency PTI reported. A team of the anti-terror probe agency National Investigation Agency (NIA) has also examined the site.
The Israeli foreign ministry has stated that Israeli authorities are cooperating with their Indian counterparts to investigate the cause of explosion.
Israeli missions around the world have been on high alert since Israel declared war against the Palestinian terror group Hamas, following the latter’s surprise attack on Israel on October 7.
Following the incident, security was further beefed up around the embassy and other Israeli establishments in India. Chanakyapuri, where the blast took place, is a diplomatic neighbourhood in the national capital which houses foreign missions of several countries.
In 2021, a blast near the embassy had damaged multiple cars. In February 2012, a bomb was planted under an Israeli embassy car and it injured a diplomat’s wife.