The explosion tore through an Israeli diplomat's car at Aurangzeb Road, near Prime Minister's residence, Israeli officials said. The driver and a diplomat's wife were injured, according to Indian officials.

The explosion took place in the late afternoon close to the embassy, said embassy spokesman David Goldfarb.

Television footage showed a charred minivan with blue diplomatic plates, its rear door apparently blown out.

Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor would not discuss who was injured nor the extent of the injuries because it was a security matter.

''We are looking into the incident and cooperation with local security forces is excellent,'' Palmor said, from Israel.

Indian foreign ministry spokesman Syed Akbaruddin said two people were wounded, the driver and the wife of an Israeli diplomat.

''They are in the hospital and being tended to,'' he said.