New Delhi:
Investigators probing the "sticky bomb" blast that hit an Israeli diplomat's vehicle in New Delhi on Monday have detained several suspects in overnight raids conducted in the capital. Yesterday, the investigators had said that the motor-cyclist who planted the bomb on the Israeli embassy car may have been of Indian origin. They had also added that the bomb that was used may have been made locally.
The explosion on Monday took place just a few feet away from the Prime Minister's residence, injuring four people, including an Israeli diplomat's wife who was in the SUV.
Delhi Police sources believe that the bomber was meant to stick the explosives on the rear window of the car to cause maximum damage. However, the target was not specifically the woman who was injured. The idea was to try and kill anyone from the Israeli embassy, they believe.
Israel has blamed Iran for commissioning the attack. Home Minister P Chidambaram has, however, been careful to emphasise that India is currently "not pointing a finger at any group."
A team of Israeli investigators was yesterday allowed access to the remains of the SUV. Later in the evening, the Israeli ambassador met Foreign Minister SM Krishna and said, "The meeting was a very good one. It is just another shining example of support, friendship and intimacy that we have been lucky to be exposed to in the last 48 hours since this very saddening vicious terrorist attack on one of our people took place here in the heart of New Delhi."
Delhi Police suspects that a red motorcycle found abandoned in South Delhi's Lado Sarai area may have been the bike involved in the attack, though security cameras from a private home in the area did not capture either the biker's face or the license plate of the two-wheeler.
Traces of explosives found in the car are being tested at a forensic lab.