Monday, February 13, 2012

Report: 2 people wounded by explosive device attached to an Israeli Embassy car in New Delhi

Jerusalem (CNN) -- Two people were wounded when an explosive device attached to an Israeli Embassy car detonated near the Israeli mission in New Delhi, an Indian government official said Monday.

It was one of two explosives discovered on Israeli Embassy cars Monday. The other was found on an embassy car in Tblisi, Georgia, and that device was detonated in a controlled explosion with no injuries, an Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman said.

One of the wounded in New Delhi is the wife of an Israeli defense wing officer and the other is the Indian driver of the car, said Syed Akbaruddin, a spokesman for the Indian Ministry of External Affairs. He said both were being treated and "are OK."

He said the car was about 500 meters (546 yards) from the Israeli mission at the time.

Another Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman had confirmed that one Israeli was hurt in the blast.

A witness told CNN there was a "huge explosion sound" and he later saw a foreign woman and the Indian driver being removed from the car.

Israeli Foreign Ministry personnel based overseas have been on alert in recent weeks to the heightened possibility of attacks at Israeli facilities by Hezbollah, the Lebanese Muslim militant group and political party.

Sunday was the fourth anniversary of the death of Hezbollah leader Imad Mugniyah, who was killed in a car bombing in Damascus, Syria in 2008. His death is believed by many to have been the result of an operation by the Israeli spy agency Mossad.

Hezbollah holds Israel responsible for his death and has vowed revenge.