Minor blast took place near Israel Embassy in Delhi

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.

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.

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.