Indian students in Kyrgyzstan are asked to stay indoors amid mob attacks

New Delhi:

India has urged citizens of Kyrgyzstan to stay at home amid attacks on foreign students. The notice was issued after several Pakistani students were injured in mob violence in their hostel.

“We are in contact with our students. The situation is currently calm, but students are advised to stay indoors for now and contact the embassy if they have any problems. Our 24-hour contact number is 0555710041,” the Indian Consulate said on X (formerly Twitter).

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also advised students to keep in touch with the embassy regularly.

“Monitoring the Welfare of Indian Students in Bishkek. According to reports, the situation is currently calm. We strongly advise students to stay in regular contact with the embassy,” said Mr. Jaishankar.

Monitoring the welfare of Indian students in Bishkek. According to reports, the situation is now calm. We strongly recommend that students stay in regular contact with the embassy. https://t.co/xjwjFotfeR

—Dr. S Jaishankar (Modi Ka Parivar) (@DrSJaishankar) May 18, 2024

While some social media posts claimed three Pakistani students were killed in the attack, the government said it had not received any reports of a death.

The Pakistani embassy said the matter escalated after videos of a fight between Kyrgyz and Egyptian students on May 13 went viral online on Friday.

The mob targeted Bishkek medical university dormitories housing students from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

The Pakistani Kyrgyz Consulate wrote in a post on “There were reports of minor injuries to several students from Pakistan.”

“Despite social media posts about the alleged death and rape of Pakistani students, we have not yet received any confirmed report,” it added.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also expressed concern over the attacks and said he had directed the Pakistani ambassador to provide all necessary support.

Deeply concerned about the situation of Pakistani students in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. I have directed the Pakistani ambassador to provide all necessary assistance and support. My office is also in contact with the embassy and is constantly monitoring the situation.

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) May 18, 2024

“I am deeply concerned about the situation of Pakistani students in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. I have directed the Pakistani ambassador to provide all necessary assistance and support. My office is also in contact with the embassy and is constantly monitoring the situation,” he said on X.