A ‘very low-intensity’ IED (improvised explosive device) was detonated near the Israeli embassy in the heart of central Delhi at 5.05 pm on Friday, the police said, adding that no injuries or property damage, apart from shattered windscreens of nearby cars, had been reported.
“A very low-intensity improvised device went off. No injury to any person was reported… nor was there any damage to property, except the glass panes of three vehicles parked nearby,” Anil Mittal, a Delhi Police spokesperson, was quoted by news agency PTI.
The blast took place 1.4 kilometers from Vijaya Chowk, where President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and other senior members of the government had gathered, amid extremely heavy security, for the Beating Retreat ceremony that follows the Republic Day parade.
Home Minister Amit Shah has been briefed on the situation, and Delhi Police Commissioner SN Shrivastava has visited the site.
Foreign Minister S Jaishankar tweeted to say he spoke to his Israeli counterpart, Gabi Ashkenazi, and assured him of “the fullest protection for the Embassy and diplomats”.
“Spoke just now to Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi about the explosion outside the Israeli Embassy. We take this very seriously. Assured him of the fullest protection for the Embassy and Israeli diplomats. The matter is under investigation and no effort will be spared to find the culprits,” he said.
“The Indian Foreign Minister assured me that the Indian authorities are committed to the security of all Israeli diplomatic staff and will continue to act resolutely to locate all those involved in the explosion. I thanked him and promised full cooperation and any help required from Israel,” he said.