Evidence suggests blast near Israeli Embassy in Delhi was a 'terror attack': Envoy Ron Malka

The Israeli envoy to India Ron Malka has said that the blast near the country's mission was a terror attack and there is "some evidence from the scene" to suggest that.

Speaking to WION, Malka said, "Too early to say who is standing behind this evil attack... it is a terrorist attack, the target being the Israel embassy."

Meanwhile, terrorist organisation 'Jaish-Ul-Hind' claimed on social media that they were behind the Delhi IED blast outside the Israel embassy which occurred on Friday, January 29.

Central investigating agencies have found a Telegram chat of a suspected channel in which Jaish-ul-Hind has taken responsibility. In the said chat, the terror outfit is seen taking pride over the attack. However, agencies are still verifying the claim.

The minor blast near the Israeli mission in the high-security zone of India's national capital came even as the Beating Retreat ceremony was underway just 20 minutes away from the location.

The envoy pointed out, "This kind of events only strengthen us, give us more strength to go ahead, grow progress" and "Israel, India ties will grow and thrive, and no one will be able to stop this."

The incident happened as both countries were celebrating 29 years of the formal establishment of diplomatic ties.

On asking about the details of the blast, Malka said, "Once it happened, we raised an alert, and fortunately, nobody was hurt, and all the diplomats and families of diplomats are safe. We have our guidelines in these kinds of situations, and we follow them."

"Yesterday when this evil attack happened, we celebrated the 29th anniversary of the establishment of full diplomatic relations between India and Israel. In this investigation, Israeli and Indian authorities' agencies are working together by putting all the parts together, pieces together, and building the puzzle to understand what happened here as we get full support and assistance," Malka said.

On asking if Iran was responsible for the incident near the Israeli embassy, Malka said, "Investigation still in its early stages, so it's too early to say who is standing behind this evil attack. Our assumption, yes, it is a terrorist attack, the target being the Israel embassy. It will take some more time to bring all the pieces together."

The Israeli envoy to India felt that it was a terror attack as there is "some evidence" from the scene. "We know what kind of bomb is used in this kind of event and other pieces. We are not surprised, we are very well prepared and those who think they might stop us, or threaten us, this kind of events only give us more strength to go ahead and Israel, India ties will grow and thrive."

On asking about Israel's relatioship with India, Malka said, "Israel and India are shining examples of how countries should collaborate and work together. We supported and helped each other in exchange of shared practices, medicines, and all over achievements, medical supplies, and medical equipment for tackling the pandemic. This kind of collaboration is based on mutual respect and trust. Ties are growing and expanding."

"If the world will get united against terror, we are going to win against terrorism. Because terrorism is a global disease, the world should internalize that and get united and once this happens, we will defeat terror," Malka concluded.