Mumbai: Mumbai Police stand guard near Israeli Consulate, after a low-intensity blast outside the New Delhi's Israeli Embassy, in Mumbai, Friday, Jan. 29, 2021.
A minor IED blast occurred near the Israeli Embassy in the heart of Lutyens' Delhi on Friday evening. No one was injured in the incident, however, some cars were damaged in the very high-security zone. Delhi Police Additional PRO Anil Mittal said initial impressions suggest that it could be a mischievous attempt to create a sensation. The blast took place when President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were present a few kilometers away at the Beating Retreat ceremony at the culmination of the Republic Day celebrations.
Delhi Police Commissioner S N Shrivastava visited the site in the evening and took stock of the situation. The CISF which guards civil airports, vital nuclear and aerospace installations, Delhi Metro and central government buildings has put on alert all its units across the country after the blast, official sources said. The paramilitary force has directed its personnel to enhance vigil at the 63 civil airports and the Delhi Metro under its cover, besides vital installations in the nuclear and aerospace domain.
The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) units that guard various government buildings in the national capital have been asked to maintain a "high level of alert", they said.
Here are the latest updates
- NIA likely to take over Israel Embassy blast case
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) which also inspected the blast site, is likely to register a case. A team of NIA officials had visited the blast site Friday evening and collected materials from the site. The team of the NIA officials also carried out complete mapping of the area to identify the route and the persons involved in the blast. According to sources, the NIA also had a chat with the Delhi Police officials and the bomb squad. The source said that the agency is soon likely to register a case in the blast incident.
- The Delhi Police have increased security checks and have put up advisories at the blast site
- Jaish-ul-Hind claims responsibility for IED blast near Israel embassy
On social media, Jaish-ul-Hind has claimed the responsibility for the blast near the Israeli embassy in Delhi. Central investigating agencies have recovered a Telegram chat of a suspected channel in which Jaish-ul-Hind has taken the responsibility for the IED explosion. In the said chat, the terror outfit is seen taking pride over the attack. Agencies, however, are still verifying the claim.
- Delhi police asks for details of Iranians
A day after the blast near the Israeli Embassy, Delhi police has asked for details of all Iranians, including Iranians settled overseas, who have come to the national capital through the Foreigner Regional Registration Office (FRRO). Last one month's details in this regard have been sought from the FRRO, according to the latest inputs available from the Delhi police. So far details of those who stayed in hotels are being gathered. "FRRO officials have been asked to give details of all Iranians or Iranians settled overseas who have come to Delhi. Past one month's details have been sought," a source from Delhi police told ANI.
- Blast outside Israeli Embassy could be a 'terror attack', says envoy Ron Malka
Suspecting that Friday's blast outside the Israeli Embassy here could be a terror attack, Israeli ambassador to India, Ron Malka, Saturday, asserted that there is full cooperation between New Delhi and Tel Aviv to investigate the explosion. "The investigation is ongoing, gathering all evidence from the scene. There is full collaboration between Indian and Israeli authorities. As of now, our strong assumption is that it is a terror attack that targeted the Israeli Embassy. Fortunately, nobody was hurt. All options are there on the table. Yesterday when this terror attack was conducted, we celebrated the 29th anniversary of the full establishment of diplomatic relations between Israel and India, exactly yesterday. So, it may not be a coincidence but all options are being investigated," Ron Malka, the Israeli Envoy, told ANI.
- CCTV shows cab at site, letter warns of 'trailer'
Delhi Police Special Cell has obtained CCTV footage showing a car dropping off two persons who walk towards the spot near the Israel Embassy where a minor explosion took place on Friday evening. The driver of the vehicle has been traced and sketches of the two people are being prepared. A probe has been initiated to ascertain their involvement in the blast.
- Police recover battery, electric wires from blast site
The Delhi Police have recovered a battery, along with some electric wires from the blast site. The police, now suspect a timer could have been used for the explosion. Further probe into the incident is on.
- Team of Delhi Police's Special Cell visits blast site near Israel Embassy
A team of Delhi Police's Special Cell on Saturday morning visited the spot near the Israel Embassy where an IED blast took place. The Special Cell is probing the blast that occurred on Friday evening. The Delhi Police said that the improvised explosive device (IED) went off at 5.05 pm and no one was injured and there was no damage to any property
- Police recover envelope addressed to Israeli Embassy from blast site
An envelope addressed to the Israeli Embassy and containing a note was found at the site of the blast, sources had said on Friday. They said the envelope was addressed to embassy officials but did not divulge any further details including the content of the note. Sources also said that the letter mentions Iran's General Qasem Soleimani and top nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh as "martyrs".
