The blast outside Israeli embassy in New Delhi on Friday has given rise to questions of a larger terror angle and the actual perpetrators. The blast occurred on the anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Israel.
A letter addressing Israel Ambassador to India Ron Malka is among the significant findings in the low-intensity explosion that took place near the embassy of Israel on Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Road in the national capital on Friday evening. Delhi police said that the letter addressed Friday’s explosion as a ‘trailer’.
Mentioning the killing of two prominent Iranians, the letter reads “This is a trailer. We can end your life, anytime, anywhere. Iranian martyr”. The two names mentioned as martyrs in the letter are Qasem Soleimani (Iranian military officer who served in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and was killed in a US airstrike in January 2020) and Mohsen Fakhrizadeh (Iranian nuclear scientist assassinated in November 2020).
A day after the blast, Delhi police has asked for details of all Iranians, including Iranians settled overseas, who have come to the national capital through the Foreigner Regional Registration Office. Last one month’s details in this regard have been sought from the FRRO, as reported by the ANI news agency. So far details of those who stayed in hotels are being gathered.
“FRRO officials have been asked to give details of all Iranians or Iranians settled overseas who have come to Delhi. Past one month’s details have been sought,” a source from Delhi police told ANI.
The Delhi police crime investigation team on Saturday morning visited the incident spot and collected samples. Further investigation is underway, Delhi Police said. No injuries were reported in the explosion. Windscreens of several cars parked in the vicinity of the Embassy were found damaged.
The explosion took place not far from Vijay Chowk, where several VVIPS including President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi were in attendance during the ‘Beating Retreat’ ceremony.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar assured the Israeli Foreign Minister of “fullest protection” to their diplomats. The EAM said that India has taken the blast very seriously and 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”, he tweeted.
International experts opine that it is hard to believe that anyone from Iran would be involved in a blast in India though the target was the Israeli embassy. Though the letter obtained at the site makes it look like an act to avenge the killing of two prominent Iranians, experts believe that it could yet be the handiwork of other terror groups emanating from terror havens whose aim is to draw a wedge between India and Iran.
Aayush Pal 
Balaji Subramanian 
Palak Dogra