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- Minor damages but no casualties have been reported from the explosion
- Incident took place as India and Israel observe the 29th anniversary of establishing diplomatic ties
NEW DELHI: Security has been beefed up at government buildings and airports in India, officials said, following a low-intensity blast near the Israeli embassy in New Delhi on Friday evening.
Minor damages but no casualties have been reported from the explosion that occurred some 50 meters from the embassy building in a high security zone of the Indian capital.
The incident took place on a day when India and Israel are observing the 29th anniversary of establishing diplomatic ties.
"An alert has been issued at all airports, important installations and government buildings in view of blast reported in Delhi. Enhanced security measures have been put in place," the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which guards all government installations, including airports, said in a statement following the blast.
Delhi Police, meanwhile, said that no injuries or damage to property was recorded, "except (to) windowpanes of three vehicles parked nearby."
"A very low-intensity improvised device went off at 5:05pm near 5 APJ Abdul Kalam Road near Jindal house," police told reporters, "Initial impressions suggest it was a mischievous attempt to create a sensation."
Local media reports say that following the blast security has been reinforced also at the Israeli consulate in Mumbai.
"We take this very seriously," Indian foreign minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar tweeted on Friday after speaking to his Israeli counterpart, Gabi Ashkenazi, following the blast.
"Matter is under investigation and no effort will be spared to find the culprits," he said.
The Israeli foreign ministry reported no casualties or damage to the embassy building.
"There were no casualties in the blast and no damage to the embassy building," it said in a statement, "The incident is under investigation by the authorities in India who are in contact with the relevant Israeli authorities."
The blast revived the memory of a bomb attack on an Israeli embassy car in New Delhi, which injured two embassy workers and two passersby in 2012.