Blast near Israel embassy rocks Delhi, none hurt; letter recovered

A blast occurred near the Israel embassy in the Chanakyapuri diplomatic enclave here on Tuesday evening. No one was injured in the incident and an "abusive" letter addressed to the Israeli ambassador was found near the site, officials said.

After the police control room received a call about a "loud sound" from Jindal House behind the embassy at 5:53 pm, teams of Crime Branch, bomb disposal squad, dog squad and forensic department were rushed to the spot, they said.

An almost three-hour-long search operation was carried out in the area. A National Investigation Agency team also examined the site, they said.

The explosion and the recovery of the letter is a grim reminder of the 2021 blast near the embassy in which some cars were damaged. The NIA had probed the case.

Security has been high around the Israel embassy since the war between Israel and Hamas began earlier this year, security officials said.

Soon after the explosion, which took place in a green belt area outside the Central Hindi Training Institute located near the embassy, teams of the Delhi police's special cell, bomb disposal squad and fire department rushed to the spot.

Later, a team of the NIA examined the site, a senior police officer said.

When contacted, Israeli embassy spokesperson Guy Nir said, "We can confirm that around 5:48 pm, there was a blast in close proximity to the embassy. The Delhi police and the security team are still investigating the situation."

Deputy chief of mission (Israel) Ohad Nakash Kaynar said, "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."

The police sources said a typed letter addressed to the Israeli ambassador was found near the explosion site behind the embassy premises.

The letter is "abusive" in nature. It has been sent to the forensic lab to check for fingerprints, they said.

"It's a one-page letter written in English. It is suspected to be related to some organisation," a police source said.

After the incident, security was further beefed up around the embassy and other Israeli establishments, according to officials.

An almost three-hour-long search operation was conducted in the area around the embassy. Every corner of the area was searched, another police officer said.

"Experts have examined the spot and lifted exhibits that may have evidentiary relevance. The same are being sent for forensic examination," the Delhi police said in a statement, adding that further investigation is underway.

Another officer said no traces of burnt explosives were found at the spot.

Security officials who visited the spot said since no remnants of the explosive were found at the spot, the possibility of a "chemical explosion" cannot be ruled out.

According to Delhi Fire Services officials, after the fire department received a call about the blast, two fire engines were immediately sent to the spot.

Sources said the caller told police that there was a blast behind the embassy. A guard deployed at the Central Hindi Training Institute told reporters that he heard a loud sound and saw smoke billowing from a tree in the green belt area.

In February 2012, a bomb was planted under an Israeli embassy car here, injuring a diplomat's wife.