Blast site on 30th January 2021 
Key Highlights
- In past also Israelis have been targetted in India. In 26/11 terrorists stormed Chabad house and killed six Jews. David Headley Coleman did a reconnaissance of Jewish Synagogue in central Delhi.
- NSG bomb detection centre submitted a report and said bomb used near Israel embassy was locally made with ball bearings and nails. Enough to cause loud explosion and minor damages. A small carter was formed near the blast site.
- In June 2021, the Delhi Police arrested four youngsters from Kargil. They were questioned about their movements on the day blast took place. All four were released because of their near perfect alibi.
New Delhi: A year after an improvised explosive device exploded near the Israel embassy in New Delhi, investigations in the case have hit a dead end. The National Investigation Agency which is probing the case has failed to crack the high profile case.
Because of Beating Retreat, New Delhi was turned into a fortress. Just two kilometres from Rajpath at around 5 pm, a small blast but with loud noise took place outside 5 APJ Kalam damaging glass pane of three cars parked there. No one was injured.
Since the blast took place near Israel embassy and close to Rajpath, senior officers of the Delhi Police rushed to the spot. Near the blast site, a letter was addressed to Israel embassy ambassador.
The letter was written in English it said that this was just a “trailer”. It mentioned about avenging death of two Iranians “martyrs”. Quds force commander of Iranian Revolutionary Guards Qasem Solemani (January 2020) and Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh (November 2020).
Solemani was killed in a drone strike at Baghdad international airport and Fakhrizadeh died in a remote controlled attack in Absard (Iran). Israel later claimed responsibility for nuclear scientist death.
A day after, 30th January 2021, on telegram groups an obscure terror outfit Jaish-ul-Hind claimed responsibility for the blast. However, this was a false lead. Officers said this claim was nothing but a publicity stunt and gimmick.
NSG bomb detection centre examined the IED and crime spot. It submitted a report to the Delhi Police and said the IED was locally made explosive with ball bearings enough to cause minor damage and loud noise. Small crater was formed near the blast site. Since the blast took place close to Israel embassy, a team of Israel defence force also assisted the Delhi Police and the NIA.
Not for the first time, Israelis have been targetted in India. During 26/11, terrorists attacked Chabad in south Mumbai killing sex Jews. Lashkar-e-Toiba trained terrorist David Headley Coleman also admitted that he did a reconnaissance of a Jewish synagogue in central Delhi.
In 2012, a diplomat’s wife from Israel Tal Yeshova was injured when a “sticky bomb” was placed on her SUV. When the bomb exploded, the SUV was set afire. Investigators blamed Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.
Initially, the Delhi Police claimed the CCTV, on the stretch where the IED exploded, was not working. However, the state forensic science lab managed to retrieve clear footage and also images of two suspects walking near 6 APJ Abdul Kalam Marg. Both had covered their faces with masks.
The suspects are carrying shoulder bags and it’s being assumed they were carrying the IED which caused the blast. Images of the two suspects were released and the federal probe agency sought the help of the public to get information. A reward of Rs ten lakh was also issued.
Last June, the Delhi Police’s special cell detained and later arrested four youngsters from Kargil. The youngsters were arrested in an open-ended FIR but questioned for their whereabouts when the blast took place on 29th January.
The four were subjected to lie detection tests and other scientific tests. Because of the near-perfect alibi, all four were later released on bail. Sources said the case for all practical purposes is now a cold case.