A police officer removes the security tape outside the Israeli embassy, following an investigation on a reported explosion nearby, in New Delhi.
Credit: Reuters Photo
New Delhi: A call about a blast near the Israel embassy in the national capital on Tuesday evening triggered panic even as initial examination by investigators and forensic experts could not trace any explosive while a letter addressed to the ambassador was recovered.
A Delhi Police statement said its control room received a call at 5:53 PM, which claimed that a huge sound was heard from behind the Israel embassy and near Jindal House on APJ Abdul Kalam Road.
"Considering the sensitivity of the location and mention of explosion type sound, senior officers rushed to the location. In close follow-up, dog squad, Crime Team and BDS (bomb disposal squad) team of Delhi Police reached the spot where the alleged sound of the explosion was reported to have been heard," it said.
Experts from the Forensic Sciences Laboratory in Delhi were also roped in. The area was cordoned off and subjected to thorough search, it said.
"The experts have examined the spot, lifted exhibits that may have evidentiary relevance; the same are being sent for forensic examination. Further enquiry is in progress," the statement added.
While the Israel embassy said they can confirm about a blast in "close proximity" to the embassy, police and fire brigade officials as well as forensic experts who searched the area said "nothing (no explosive) could be traced". The searches went into late night.
Officials said a typed letter addressed to the Israeli ambassador was found in the garden area behind the embassy, where the explosion allegedly took place.
Israeli embassy spokesperson Guy Nir said they can confirm that around 5:48 PM, there was a blast in "close proximity" to the embassy.
The investigators of Delhi Police's Special Cell and National Investigation Agency (NIA) also reached the spot.
Teju Chitri, a security guard, told reporters that he heard a loud sound, which he initially thought as a tyre burst, and when he came out, he saw smoke from the top of a tree. He also gave a statement to the police.
"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," Israel Deputy Chief of Mission Ohad Nakash Kaynar said.
In January 2021, a low-intensity blast took place near the embassy in which a few cars were damaged. In February 2012, a diplomat's wife was injured when a bomb was planted under an Israeli embassy car here.