A tight security cover was thrown over the national capital after an explosion in an Israeli Embassy car and the resultant fire on Monday afternoon resulted in at least four people, including the wife of an Israeli diplomat, suffering injuries.

The cause of the explosion and the fire was not immediately known. The security agencies, which are carrying out investigations, immediately blocked off roads leading to the Embassy which is located a short distance from the official residence of the Prime Minister.

Briefing newspersons, the Commissioner of Delhi Police, Mr B.K. Gupta, said that the lady was returning to the Embassy along with the driver after picking up their children from the American school. “The car was at the Safdurjung road-Aurangzeb crossing when a person on a motorcycle is suspected to have planted some thing on the car. Soon after, the explosion occurred,” Mr Gupta said.

The Israeli Embassy officer's wife who was injured in the blast is being treated in Primus hospital and her condition is stable, the Police Commissioner added.

“The investigations into the incident are being conducted by the Special Cell of Delhi Police,” Mr Gupta said.

The External Affairs Minister, Mr S.M. Krishna, spoke to his Israeli counterpart and assured him that the “law of the land” would take its course.

Meanwhile, there was speculation that the attack was a globally coordinated effort. Television channels claimed that an Israeli Embassy vehicle was also the target of a bomb attack in Georgia.

Associated Press news agency quoted the Israeli Prime Minister as accusing Iran of being behind car bombings in India and Georgia.

>ashphadnis@thehindu.co.in

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