The blast near the Embassy of Israel in Delhi on December 26 appears to be connected to the 2021 IED blast at the same location, according to sources within the Delhi Police Special Cell. Investigators are finding striking similarities in the way both incidents were staged and the leads they’re uncovering.
In the recent blast, CCTV footage captured two suspects near the scene. Tracing their movements, investigators noticed the suspects taking an auto rickshaw towards India Gate. Based on this information, police questioned numerous auto drivers, eventually discovering the suspects disembarked in the Jamia area.
The 2021 IED blast also led investigators to Jamia after identifying suspects via CCTV footage. However, the perpetrators remain at large despite the National Investigation Agency (NIA) offering a Rs 10 lakh reward for information leading to their arrest.
Top sources have revealed several key similarities between the two blasts. Both involved suspects conducting reconnaissance before carrying out the attacks to avoid detection by CCTV cameras.
Both blasts were followed by the discovery of typed letters left at the scene. The single-page letter recovered from the scene of the blast this week was addressed to the Israeli ambassador, and spoke of Israel’s actions against Palestine and in the Gaza Strip in the wake of the October 7 assault by militant group Hamas.
In both instances, the suspects made their escape using an auto-rickshaw and were last seen heading towards the Jamia area.
While the investigation remains ongoing, these connections between the two blasts fuel speculation about a potential link. Delhi Police and other Indian counter-terror agencies, including NIA and the National Security Guard (NSG), have scoured the area and are working to crack the case.
Following the incident, the Israeli National Security Council (NSC) issued an advisory urging Israelis in India, especially in New Delhi, to remain vigilant as the blast “could be a terror attack”. The alert comes amid a global increase in antisemitic attacks following Israel’s military actions in the Gaza Strip.
