Delhi Police on Tuesday evening rushed to the Israel Embassy after receiving a call of an “explosion” having taken place behind it.
Israeli Embassy spokesperson Guy Nir has confirmed that around 5:20 pm there was a blast at close proximity to the embassy
Delhi Police on Tuesday evening rushed to the Israel Embassy after receiving a call of an “explosion” having taken place behind it.
Delhi Police has found a letter addressed to Israeli ambassador near the site of "explosion" site behind Israel embassy premises, PTI quoting sources said.
The police found the letter at an empty plot of land just a few metres away from the embassy, NDTV reported. It is said to be addressed to the Israeli Ambassador.
The police also found a flag wrapped with the letter, it said.
Israel Embassy is located along Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Road in the national capital.
Delhi police received an alleged "blast" call by an unidentified caller at around 6 pm earlier today, the reports said.
The credentials and motive of the caller is said to be under investigation.
Earlier, in October Delhi Police had beefed up security around the Israeli embassy and Chabad House in the capital.
The local police stationed around the embassy in New Delhi and Chabad House, located in Chandni Chowk in central Delhi, had been directed to maintain a tight vigil.
Following Israel-Hamas war, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had expressed solidarity with Israel saying it stands with the beleagured country during its crisis time.
Besides, this year, additional police vehicles were deployed outside the Israeli Embassy and the official residence of the Israeli Ambassador to India, Naor Gilon. Chabad House is a religious place of Jews in the Paharganj area of New Delhi.
There had been no untoward incidents involving Indians living and working in Israel, even as the Indian embassy in Tel Aviv had received requests from its citizens, including tourists, stranded in the country to facilitate their safe exit, following the war.
Later, the Indian mission in Tel Aviv and the Representative Office of India in Palestine had issued advisories asking Indian nationals on respective sides to “remain vigilant” and “directly contact the Office” in case of an emergency.
News agency Reuters, quoting Israel's foreign ministry, said that an explosion was heard near the Israeli Embassy in New Delhi. All of its staff are unharmed.
He said the loud sound was close to the Israel Embassy.
"We can confirm that around 5:20 there was a blast at close proximity to the embassy," Israeli Embassy spokesperson Guy Nir was quoted as having said.
The agency quoted Israel Embassy's Deputy Chief of Mission Ohad Nakash Kaynar saying: "This evening several minutes after 5, an explosion occurred in close proximity of the Embassy. All our diplomats and workers are safe. Our security teams are working in full cooperation with local Delhi security and they will investigate the matter further".
In January 2021, a "very low-intensity" IED (improvised explosive device) was detonated near the Israeli embassy. There had been no injuries or property damage in the incident. However, windscreens of several parked cars nearby were left damaged.