Israeli embassy in India's New Delhi rocked by nearby explosion
An explosion near the Israeli embassy in the Indian capital of New Delhi damaged three vehicles, but no injuries were reported, according to Delhi Police and local media.
Delhi Police said that the low-intensity blast occurred at 5.05pm local time on a pavement, almost 150 metres away from the Israeli embassy, India Today reported.
The area was cordoned off and police forces increased the alert level around the embassy. India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Delhi Police Special Cell said they had opened an investigation into the incident.
The blast took place on the day India and Israel celebrated 29 years of diplomatic relations.
India was also holding its Beating Retreat military ceremony, attended by President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in Vijay Chowk, a location 2km far from the explosion area.
New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch
Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters
Ron Malka, Israel's ambassador to India, confirmed all embassy officials were safe.
"Everybody in the embassy is safe. We are all fine. The mission is on high alert. We are cooperating with Delhi Police authorities and are in touch with MEA (Ministry of External Affairs)," Malka told India Today TV.
'Initial impressions suggest this was a mischievous attempt to create a sensation'
- Delhi Police
The Israeli foreign ministry said in a statement that "all embassies and staff were ordered to stay alert and take necessary precautionary measures."
A statement by Delhi Police said that "a very low-intensity improvised device went off at 5.05pm near 5 APJ Abdul Kalam Road near Jindal house. No injury to any person has been reported nor any damage to property was witnessed, except windowpanes of some vehicles parked nearby."
It added that "initial impressions suggest this was a mischievous attempt to create a sensation."
India Today reported that the motivation behind the blast was still unclear. Authorities did not know if it was the act of an organisation or individual, and issued an alert to all airports and government buildings in Delhi.
On 13 February 2012, a bomb was planted on the car of an Israeli diplomat in the embassy in New Delhi, injuring an embassy staffer.
Israel has accused Iran of the incident, an accusation Iran denied.
Middle East Eye delivers independent and unrivalled coverage and analysis of the Middle East, North Africa and beyond. To learn more about republishing this content and the associated fees, please fill out this form. More about MEE can be found here.
