Investigators from Israel, who probe terror-related incidents at overseas strategic locations and on their citizens, will be arriving in New Delhi as early as Saturday to assist Indian agencies in the probe on blast near the Israel embassy in New Delhi on Friday evening. No major damages were reported in the blast and only a few cars suffered damages. Israel has called the minor blast “an act of terror” and will be assisting Indian probe agencies in the investigation.
A CCTV footage of the Israel Embassy blast site has revealed that a cab had dropped two people near the embassy and it is yet to be ascertained whether they have any role in the explosion, according to Delhi Police sources. The Delhi Police Special Cell has contacted the cab driver and enquired about the two people. Police are drawing out the pictures of the two on the basis of inputs gathered from the cab driver. The bomb appeared to have been planted in a flower pot on the road divider, police said. A letter in an envelope addressed “to Israel Embassy ambassador” has been found at the spot. The police are on high alert and sources have confirmed that ammonium nitrate was used for the explosion. Sources have also said this blast may be a trial of some “bigger conspiracy”. Police also found a camera hidden behind a tree near the blast site. In the footage retrieved from the camera, the timestamp was of the year 1970 but the content is not clear and police are investigating it to ascertain information.
Delhi Police Additional PRO Anil Mittal said initial impressions suggest that it could be a mischievous attempt to create a sensation. Sources said the investigators have recovered an envelope addressed to the Israeli embassy containing a note at the blast site, but did not divulge any further details including content of the note. The blast took place when President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were present a few kilometres away at the Beating Retreat ceremony at the culmination of the Republic Day celebrations.
