A day after the blast near Israel Embassy in Delhi, sources on Wednesday said Police has found two suspects after examining CCTV footage, adding that cops received a "threatening" letter as well.
A suspected blast near Israel Embassy in the Chanakyapuri diplomatic enclave in New Delhi on Tuesday evening was later confirmed to have taken place. No one was injured in the blast.
Israeli embassy spokesperson Guy Nir said on Tuesday evening said, "We can confirm that around 5:48 pm, there was a blast in close proximity to the embassy. Delhi Police and the security team are still investigating the situation."
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Cops Received 'Threatening' Letter Received; 2 Suspects Identified
"Regarding the Israel Embassy incident yesterday, Delhi Police found two suspects after examining the CCTV footage. Police are now scanning CCTV visuals and trying to find out how the two suspects reached there and which route they took. Police also received a threatening letter written to the Israel Embassy," news agency ANI quoted sources as saying on Wednesday.
Another report said that a "typed letter" addressed to the Ambassador of Israeli embassy, wrapped in an Israeli flag, was found near the blast site. The India Today report, quoting sources, said that the letter, written in English, mentions Israel's actions in Gaza and talks about 'revenge. Sources reportedly said that a group identifying itself as "Sir Allah Resistance" claimed responsibility for the blast.
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Shortly after the explosion, which took place in a green belt area outside the Central Hindi Training Institute located near the embassy, teams of Delhi Police's Special Cell, bomb disposal squad and fire department rushed to the spot. An almost three-hour-long search operation was carried out in the area. A National Investigation Agency (NIA) team also examined the site, a senior police officer in New Delhi said.
Security was tightened further around the embassy and other Israeli establishments after the Tuesday incident.
What CCTVs Have Found So Far
According to police sources, CCTV footage recovered from near the spot shows two youths walking on the road, shortly before the blast. "It is yet to be ascertained whether they are suspects," an official said.
Security agencies have collected multiple CCTV footage from the lanes of Abdul Kalam Road and Prithviraj Road.
Security officials who visited the spot said since no remnants of the explosive were found at the spot, the possibility of a "chemical explosion" cannot be ruled out.
Israel Issues Advisory for Citizens in India
The Israeli National Security Council has also issued a travel advisory for its citizens in India, suspecting that an explosion near the Israeli embassy in New Delhi on Tuesday was "a possible terror attack".
The recommendations of the Israeli National Security Council (NSC) on Tuesday, which come amid concerns of a "recurrence of events", apply especially to New Delhi.
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Israeli nationals have been asked to avoid going to crowded places (malls and markets) and places identified as serving "Westerners/Jews and Israelis". They have also been urged to be on heightened alert in public places (including restaurants, hotels, pubs, etc).
Israelis in India have also been asked to avoid "openly displaying Israeli symbols, refraining from attending unsecured large-scale events, and avoiding publicising itineraries on social media as well as photographs and details of visits in real-time."
