Indian students injured in Kyrgyzstan violence; told to stay put indoors

Amid massive violence in Kyrgyzstan’s capital city of Bishkek, foreign students, including those from India and Pakistan, have locked themselves up in fear. According to the media reports, at least 29 foreigners have been injured in the violence.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kyrgyzstan, assured that the situation has returned to normalcy in Bishkek.

Indian officials advised students in Bishkek to remain indoors. “We are in touch with our students. The situation is calm, but students are advised to stay indoors for the moment and get in touch with the Embassy in case of any issue,” the Indian Embassy in Bishkek said in a statement.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also informed that they are monitoring the welfare of the Indian students in Bishkek and that the situation is reportedly calm. He urged Indian students to stay in touch with the Embassy.

There are more than 10,000 people living in different parts of the country. 

Several Pakistani students were also injured in the attack. Pakistani prime minister Shehbaz Sharif has sent his deputy, foreign minister Ishaq Dar, and federal minister Amir Muqam to Bishkek on Sunday to ensure assistance and support for the Pakistani students stranded amid the unrest, reported ANI.

Along with this, a special flight carrying 180 Pakistani students landed at Lahore's Allama Iqbal International Airport on Saturday from Bishkek.

According to local reports, the violence in Bishkek erupted following a fight at a hostel between locals and foreign students, including Pakistanis and Egyptians. Videos went viral on social media, heightening violence in the country.

The situation took a turn for the worse on May 16, when foreign students were targeted and later attacked by a group of locals, even as they shouted for help and pleaded to go.