Ahead of blast, Israel Embassy received ‘threat messages’, flagged security concerns in October
India

Ahead of blast, Israel Embassy received ‘threat messages’, flagged security concerns in October

On 16 October, embassy reached out to MHA regarding online threats. Sources say threats included 'abusive language' with slogans of ‘Free Palestine’.

   
File photo of investigation outside the Israel embassy after the 'low-intensity blast' in New Delhi | ANI

File photo of investigation outside the Israel embassy after the 'low-intensity blast' in New Delhi | ANI

New Delhi: The Israel embassy in New Delhi had received threats about two months ago after which it flagged the same with the Indian agencies, ThePrint has learnt. 

On Tuesday, a “low-intensity blast” had taken place near the Israel embassy and a letter was found near the site of the explosion. 

The letter, the language of which is “abusive”, is addressed to the Israeli ambassador, ThePrint had reported. Typed in English, the letter claimed to be from a little-known outfit – “Sir Allah Resistance”. Sources in the security establishment said that they have found no record of this outfit in records so far. 

On 16 October, the Israel embassy had requested intervention the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) regarding the online threats and sought assistance in identifying the accused. However, no arrests have so far been made. 

After identifying two suspects in the “blast case”, the police are scanning through all routes, CCTV footage and dump data (a large amount of data or files transferred between two systems over a connected network) from the area near the embassy. So far, there have been no detentions. 

In a letter, a copy of which is with ThePrint, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had informed the MHA of the request of the Israel embassy to enhance the cover for the ambassador. 

“The Ambassador of Israel to India has received threats in the comments section on social media,” the letter mentions. “The Embassy has requested to verify the accounts from which the threat messages were sent and investigate the matter. The Embassy has further requested enhanced security for the Ambassador due to threat from terrorist organisations in respect to the current scenario.”  

The sources said the threats included “abusive language” with slogans of ‘Free Palestine’. 

Additional DCP (New Delhi district) Ravi Kant didn’t respond to calls and messages on whether the security around the embassy was enhanced or an FIR was lodged in the case. 

Delhi Police spokesperson Kumar Gyanesh said that senior officials had taken cognizance of the matter. “Wednesday morning, teams of Central agencies visited the spot and lifted some samples of soils, leaves & objects lying around for further examination,” Gyanesh said in a statement.

(Edited by Tony Rai)


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