Israel Issues Advisory, Urges Citizens in India to Exercise Caution after ‘Blast’

The Israeli national security council issued an advisory urging Israelis in India, especially those living in New Delhi, to exercise caution following an explosion earlier on Tuesday near the Israeli embassy.

The advisory urges Israelis in India to avoid crowded areas such as malls and markets as well as sites associated with Jews and Israelis. It urged its citizens to remain extra vigilant in public places. It told Israelis in India to refrain from displaying Israeli symbols, avoid crowded events that aren’t secured and not share photos on social media that could reveal their location.

A report by News18 said the Delhi Police on Tuesday received a call about a blast near the Israel Embassy in the national capital but highlighted that the authorities did not find anything.

The Delhi Police’s crime units and forensics teams reached the Israel Embassy to conduct a probe. They said they received a call around 5:47pm (local time) which was transferred from Delhi Police’s PCR (police control room).

“So far nothing has been found at the location,” Delhi Fire Services director, Atul Garg said.

“A PCR call was received conveying the information that a loud sound was heard from the back side of the Israel Embassy. Considering the sensitivity of the location and the mention of explosion-type sound, senior officers rushed to the location. In close follow-up, the dog squad, crime team and BDS team of Delhi Police reached the spot where the alleged sound of the explosion was reported to have been heard. The area was cordoned off and subjected to a thorough search,” the police said in a statement.

Ohad Nakash Kaynar, Israel’s deputy envoy to India, on Tuesday said that all diplomats were safe and no one was hurt in the blast. “This evening several minutes after 5, an explosion occurred in close proximity to 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,” Kaynar said.

A separate report by the Indian Express said that a typed letter containing abusive language addressed to the Israeli ambassador was found.

Earlier in 2021, a crude bomb went off near the Israeli embassy in New Delhi.

(with inputs from Times of Israel)