NEW DELHI: Security has been beefed up in Delhi following indications that the blast near the Israeli embassy on Tuesday evening may have international links. It is suspected to be a warning to India. Israel has issued a warning to its citizens in India.
Delhi Police intensified search for those behind the blast. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has also started an investigation as a terrorist attack is suspected. Security has been tightened at the embassy and Jewish institutions. Israeli citizens are advised not to go to crowded places such as malls and markets.
It is believed that the explosion near the embassy is a continuation of the events that happened in recent days, as the hostility towards Israel will be widespread because of the Gaza war. Iran-backed groups in Yemen, Lebanon and Syria continue to attack Israel and its allies in support of Hamas.
Iran has warned that it will take revenge for the killing of Iranian General Seyed Razi Mousavi in an Israeli attack in Syria. This was followed by an explosion in the high security area of Chanakyapuri, where the embassies of various countries are located in Delhi.
An Israeli ship was attacked in the Gujarat coastal sea and an Indian ship was attacked in the Red Sea last day. Indian agencies are taking the explosion that followed very seriously.
This is not the first attack on the Israeli embassy. Two years ago, there was an IED blast near the embassy. The windows of three cars were broken. In 2012, a car bomb exploded injuring four people including the wife of an Israeli diplomat.
The footage of the two youths who passed by just before the blast is on the CCTVs of the area. A search was launched to find them. A typed letter in English declaring jihad against Israel was found at the blast site. The letter to the Israeli ambassador contained the words Palestine, Gaza, Zionist and the name of the organization Sir Allah Resistance. The letter is under forensic examination.
Follow-up attack in December
1. 24 Saturday - Attack on Israeli ship near Indian coast
2. Attack on Indian ship in Red Sea on 25th Sunday
3. On Monday 26, an Iranian general was killed in an Israeli attack in Syria.
4. 27 Tuesday - Explosion near Israeli Embassy in Delhi