Envoy 'Not Surprised'; Iranian Involvement Suspected: Here's What We Know About Israel Embassy Blast

Envoy 'Not Surprised'; Iranian Involvement Suspected: Here's What We Know About Israel Embassy Blast A small explosi...

Envoy 'Not Surprised'; Iranian Involvement Suspected: Here's What We Know About Israel Embassy Blast

A small explosion took place outside the Israel embassy in New Delhi on Friday evening, damaging the windscreens of three vehicles parked in the area. No injuries were reported in the incident. Earlier today, an investigation team of Delhi Police's Special Cell visited the site near the embassy to collect more evidence as part of its ongoing probe.

Here's what we know about the blast so far:

What, when and where

The low-intensity explosion took place near a pavement close of the Israeli embassy in Lutyens' Delhi while the Beating Retreat ceremony was underway at Rajpath a few kilometers away. The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) shortly after the explosion issued an alert at all airports, important installations and government buildings. Security was also beefed up outside the office of the Consulate General of Israel in Mumbai.

Nature of the explosive

The blast was caused by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) that was placed inside a flower on the road divider. Test results showed that pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN), a high-grade military explosive, was found in the device. A team from the National Bomb Data Centre (NBDC) of the National Security Guard (NSG) visited the spot for post-blast analysis on Saturday. The findings will be shared with the Delhi Police team investigating the case. Delhi Police also found battery remains from the site of the explosion, indicating that the explosive was a timer device. Initially, it was suspected that a vehicle borne bomber dropped the device near the flower pot, but the presence of the battery has led the police to believe that may be a "well planned, well timed conspiracy".