NEW DELHI: The improvised explosive device (IED) blast outside the Israeli embassy on Friday was a terror attack and the embassy had been on heightened alert around the first anniversary of the killing of Iranian military strategist Qassem Soleimani, said Ron Malka, Israel ambassador to India.
Speaking to the TOI, Malka said, “As far as we are concerned it was a terror attack that targeted the Israeli embassy. Nobody is hurt, everybody is safe now, the diplomats and their families.”
Since this month is also the first anniversary of the killing of Iranian military leader Qassem Soleimani, the Israeli embassy has already been on extra high alert. Soleimani, killed in a targeted attack, was seen to be responsible for running terror networks in the Middle East. Iran had blamed Israel and the US when a US drone strike hit Soleimani outside the Baghdad airport on January 3, 2020.
“We believe it’s not a coincidence that the attack happened on January 29, the anniversary of our full diplomatic relations,” Malka said.
Asked whether he thought there was any connection between the February 13, 2012 attack on Israeli diplomat’s car and Friday’s attack, Malka said, “It’s a possible connection. We are exploring that possibility as well.” However, these are early days, he added, and investigators were going through all possible links, not only in India.
“Our countries are working together and we will get to the bottom of this quickly,” he said. “It’s a joint effort between both our security authorities, gathering information and evidence and we will solve it. At a time like this, the warmth and friendship between Israel and India shows itself.” “Foreign minister S Jaishankar spoke to our foreign minister Gabi Ashkenazi, the NSA Ajit Doval spoke to our NSA and foreign secretary Harsh Shringla spoke to our DG Alon Ushpiz. They gave their assurances that they would do whatever it takes to protect Israeli representatives here in India and complete the investigation into the attack,” the envoy said.
Asked whether he was aware that a group calling itself Jaish ul Hind had claimed responsibility, the Israeli ambassador said it was early days yet and the investigations were just beginning.
The February 2012 attack on the car of the wife of the Israeli defence attache, Tal Yeshoshua Koren was believed to be a limpet-like bomb, which was attached to the car. The diplomat sustained moderate injuries, requiring surgery.