Following the back-to-back blasts at a prayer meeting of the Jehovah’s Witness in a convention centre in Kerala’s Kalamassery on Sunday morning, Delhi and Mumbai were put on high alert. The police officials of the national capital said that security arrangements were being increased in crowded areas.
Moreover, the officials that fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said that it was working closely with intelligence agencies and that all inputs would be considered with utter sincerity.
The Mumbai police have also issued a high alert in the wake of the tragic explosions that occurred in Kerala and the upcoming festive season and cricket matches. Additionally, there is strict security around Chabad House, a Jewish centre in the city.
The blasts in Kalamassery, located 10 km away from Kochi, took place a day after former Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal’s virtual address at a pro-Palestine rally in Malappuram, Kerala.
A senior police officer said on Sunday, “In the wake of Meshaal’s virtual speech, areas around the Israel embassy and those with Jewish establishments in Delhi, in particular, have been placed on alert”.
The initial blast was reported in the middle of the prayer, at around 9 AM. Subsequently, several other explosions thereafter. As of now, no individual or organisation has taken responsibility for the explosions.
A recent intelligence input conveyed to police in Delhi reads: “There is also apprehension that some organisations may gather at Chabad Houses/Jewish Community Centres and other important Jewish establishments in Delhi. Keeping in view the present scenario, adequate arrangements may be made by the local police, police control room and traffic police.”
Consequently, the police are more vigilant in the national capital because there have been two attempts – in the years 2012 and 2021 – on the Israeli embassy and a diplomat’s family member.
In the 2012 attempt, Tal Yehoshua Koren, the wife of the Israeli defence attache and embassy staffer, was severely injured in a car plast that took place in Chanakyapuri. On the other hand, the January 2021 attack, was a low-intensity blast that took place during the Beating Retreat ceremony on Kartavya Path, right outside the Israeli embassy on APJ Abdul Kalam Road.
