A “very low-intensity” improvised explosive device (IED) was detonated near the Israeli embassy in the heart of central Delhi at 5.05 pm on Friday, the police said, adding that no injuries or property damage, apart from shattered windscreens of nearby cars, had been reported.
“A very low intensity improvised device went off… No injury to any person was reported… nor was there any damage to property, except the glass panes of three vehicles parked nearby,” Anil Mittal, a Delhi Police spokesperson said.
The blast took place 1.4 kilometres from Vijaya Chowk, where President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior members of the government had gathered, amid extremely heavy security, for the Beating Retreat ceremony that follows the Republic Day parade.
Home Minister Amit Shah has been briefed on the situation, and Delhi Police Commissioner SN Shrivastava has visited the site.
Foreign Minister S Jaishankar tweeted to say he spoke to his Israeli counterpart, Gabi Ashkenazi, and assured him of “the fullest protection for the Embassy and diplomats”.