New Delhi: A low-intensity explosion was reported at Abdul Kalam Road near the Israel Embassy on Friday evening.
No injuries were reported and initial investigations 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.
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.
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 was cordoned off and officers are scanning CCTV cameras installed nearby to ascertain the sequence of events, police said.
On February 13, 2012, Israeli diplomat Tal Yehoshua and an Indian driver of the embassy vehicle were among four people injured in a blast after a magnetic bomb stuck to the vehicle went off in the capital.
Meanwhile, the Israeli foreign ministry said all its diplomats and embassy staff are “safe and sound”.
“An explosion occured a short while ago, close to the Israeli Embassy in New Delhi. There are no casualties and no harm was done to the building. All Israeli diplomats and embassy staff are safe and sound,” a foreign ministry release said.
“The event is being investigated by the Indian authorities who are in contact with Israeli officials,” it said, adding that the foreign minister is frequently being updated on the situation and has directed to take all necessary precautions.
“We will report further developments as they occur,” the release said.
