‘Blast-like’ sound heard near Israel Embassy in Delhi; no explosive found

Area cordoned off and thoroughly searched

December 26, 2023 07:39 pm | Updated December 27, 2023 12:27 am IST - New Delhi

Police personnel searching the area near the Israel Embassy in Delhi on Tuesday evening.

Police personnel searching the area near the Israel Embassy in Delhi on Tuesday evening. | Photo Credit: SUSHIL KUMAR VERMA

An explosion-like sound was heard behind the Israeli Embassy on Thursday evening; however, no explosive was recovered from the spot, the police said on Tuesday.

A PCR call was received at 5.53 p.m. regarding a loud noise behind the Embassy of Israel, and Jindal House, the police said.

“Considering the sensitivity of the location, and mention of explosion-type sound, senior officers rushed to the location,” DCP (PRO) Kumar Gyanesh said.

In close follow-up, a dog squad, Crime Team and bomb disposal squad of the Delhi police reached the spot. Soon, experts from the FSL, Delhi, also arrived. The area was cordoned off and subjected to thorough search, the DCP said.

The police said: “The experts have examined the spot, and have lifted the exhibits that may have evidentiary relevance, and the same are being sent for forensic examination.”

Deputy Chief of Mission Ohad Nakash Kaynar said: “This evening several minutes after 5, an explosion occurred in close proximity of the Embassy. 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.”

According to police sources, a typed letter addressed to Israeli Ambassador and a flag were found in the garden area behind the Embassy, where the explosion-like sound was heard. The authenticity of the letter is being verified, they said. “Currently, we are analysing the dump data of the said spot, to identify phone numbers active in the area,” an officer said. 

A guard deployed at Hindi Bhawan told reporters that he called the police after he heard a “loud noise” behind the embassy.

Police and fire department officials are at the spot and a search operation is under way, the fire officials said.

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