 "‘Stand united against terror’: Israeli envoy reaffirms India-Israel solidarity after Delhi Red Fort blast")
Days after a car blast near Delhi’s Red Fort killed 13 and injured over 20 people, Israeli Ambassador Reuven Azar said that India and Israel stand “united” against terrorism, and informed that only recently the two countries upgraded security cooperation to fight the menace.
Speaking to CNN-News18, Azar said, “Israel and India cooperate to acquire the capabilities required in the fight against terror. Only a few days ago, we upgraded that cooperation through the signing of a new agreement during the visit of the Defence Secretary to Israel. Our countries trust each other and will continue to work together to face this challenge."
On Israel’s stance regarding the Red Fort attack, Ambassador Azar expressed strong solidarity with India.
“Israel sends its deepest condolences to the people of India, especially to the families of the innocent victims killed in the terror attack at Red Fort. We wish a speedy recovery to the wounded. Prime Minister Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Sa’ar have issued strong statements in this regard,” he said.
Earlier, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying that terror “may strike our cities, but will never shake our souls," and described India and Israel as “ancient civilisations" bound by a shared fight against extremism.
“The light of our nations will outshine the darkness of our enemies," he added.
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar also expressed his condolences, saying he extended Israel’s “deepest sympathies" to the families of those killed and wished a “speedy recovery to the wounded," while emphasising that Israel “stands with India in its fight against terror."
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View AllDelhi Red Fort blast claims 13 lives
Thirteen people were killed and more than 20 injured when a Hyundai i20 packed with high-grade explosives and ammonium nitrate fuel oil detonated near the Red Fort Metro station.
Investigators said the blast was likely triggered prematurely by one of the attackers, Umar Mohammed, also known as Umar un-Nabi, a Kashmiri doctor employed at Al Falah University in Faridabad. DNA tests have confirmed that he died in the explosion.
The car exploded at a traffic signal close to the metro station.
The incident came hours after authorities recovered nearly 2,900 kg of explosive material, mostly ammonium nitrate, during raids in Faridabad. Two doctors, Muzammil Sheikh and Shaheen Saeed, were arrested in connection with the case.
Both are suspected to be part of a newly formed Jaish-e-Mohammed module reportedly comprising highly educated professionals.
Investigators believe the group was planning a large-scale terror strike across the National Capital Region, and that the explosives and weapons seized were intended for multiple coordinated attacks.
With inputs from agencies
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