Terror link suspected in attack on Israeli embassy vehicle

New Delhi Four people including the wife of an Israeli diplomat were injured in what police suspect was a terror attack on the vehicle belonging to the Israeli embassy.

The multi-utility vehicle caught fire after an explosion which was heard by Special Protection Guard commandos posted at the nearby residence of the prime minister who in turn called up Delhi Police.

Police said explosives had been discovered from the site of the blast, confirming it was not an accidental fire. Another vehicle was also damaged. The police, quoting eyewitnesses, said that a youth riding a motorcycle threw the low-intensity explosive at the embassy vehicle. The device stuck to the rear windshield of the car triggering an explosion.

Suspect speeds away

The suspected attacker was apparently wearing a helmet that fully covered his face and a brown jacket, and sped away from the scene.

The 30-year-old wife of Israel's defence attache, Til Yehoshua, is said to be in a serious condition and is being treated at the intensive care unit of the privately-run Primus Hospital. She was to undergo surgery for shrapnel injuries. She had been on her way to pick up her children from the American Embassy School.

The other injured include the Indian driver of the Israeli embassy vehicle and two occupants of the other vehicle. They were taken to the Ram Manohar Lohia hospital for treatment.

The explosion took place in the afternoon near the Safdarjung Road-Aurangzeb Road crossing in close proximity of the Prime Minister's residence and several diplomatic missions including the Israeli embassy.

Georgia attack

Agency reports quoted the Israeli embassy as saying that there had been attempted car bombings against Israeli diplomats in India and Georgia. The attack in the Georgian capital Tbilisi was reportedly foiled.

The site of the explosion in New Delhi was quickly cordoned off by specialised security agencies.

Meanwhile, Home Ministry sources, confirming a terror attack, said suspicion pointed to the Hezbollah resistance movement.

The local Israeli embassy had remained on high alert on Sunday which marked the death anniversary of a senior Hezbollah leader. Hezbollah had blamed Israel for its leader's death, a charge denied by Israel.

All staff of the Israeli embassy were asked to return to the highly fortified embassy immediately.

Authorities in the capital are taking the suspected terror attack seriously in view of the sensitivity of the location, with the Prime Minister's residence less than half a kilometre from the spot.