The Israeli embassy in India has made an 'unusual' request to the Delhi Police amid rising tensions in the Middle East. They have sought permission to use the police shooting range for training security personnel.
Indian authorities say it is the first time an embassy has sought permission to use the facility. The request is currently under review.
The Indian Express reported this in a reporter on Saturday (October 5).
On September 23, the security department of the Delhi Police received a letter from the Israeli embassy seeking permission to use the shooting range for the purpose of training personnel. After discussions among senior police officers, it has forwarded the request to the Delhi Police headquarters for a final decision.
According to sources, the shooting range is located at New Police Line and is managed by the Delhi Police Academy. Security matters at the embassy are under the purview of the Delhi Police. Therefore, the initial application at the request of the Israeli Embassy was reviewed there.
According to the report, a senior official has indicated that there is a strong possibility that the request will be rejected.
'This is certainly the first time an embassy has asked us to use and provide access to a shooting range. We are discussing the matter with higher authorities, but no final decision has been taken yet'.
Notably, the embassy's letter did not specify the reason for the request or the number of security personnel involved in the training.
The spokesperson of Delhi Police and the Special Commissioner of Police could not get a response on this. Similarly, the Israeli embassy also did not explain the reason behind their request. No comment was made when contacted.
Since 2021, two low-intensity explosions have occurred near the Israeli Embassy in New Delhi. That year, on the 29th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Israel, a bomb exploded just 100 meters from the Israeli embassy.
The second incident happened on December 26 last year. On this day, there were reports of a low-level bomb explosion near the embassy. No one was injured in either incident. Security around the Israeli embassy was tightened after fighting broke out between Israel and Hamas on October 7 last year.
