Jerusalem is treating a small explosion that took place outside the Israeli Embassy in New Delhi on Friday afternoon as a terrorist attack, an Israeli official told Channel 12 News.
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No casualties were reported in the incident, but reports from the area suggested that at least three vehicles had been damaged.
The Foreign Ministry confirmed the incident as well as the fact that no Israelis were harmed. The embassy's compound was not compromised nor did it sustain any damage in the explosion, the ministry said.
Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said on Twitter that he had assured his Israeli counterpart Gabi Ashkenazi"of the fullest protection for the Embassy and Israeli diplomats. Matter is under investigation and no effort will be spared to find the culprits."
Spoke just now to Israeli FM @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. Matter is under investigation and no effort will be spared to find the culprits.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) January 29, 2021
According to available details, the blast was a low-impact one, apparently involving an improvised explosive device hidden next to the pavement a few dozen meters (yards) away from the embassy.
The incident took place on the 29th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Jerusalem and New Delhi, although it is unclear at this time whether the timing was intentional.
The explosion took place less than a mile away from the ceremonial boulevard of Vijay Chowk, where the Beating Retreat ceremony was underway, with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior officials present.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel has full confidence that Indian authorities will investigate the incident thoroughly and guarantee the safety of Israeli and Jews located in the country.
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India's National Security Adviser Ajit Doval spoke on the phone with Israeli counterpart Meir Ben Shabbet and updated him on the efforts made by India to investigate the incident.
i24NEWS contributed to this report.
