Pakistan evacuates its students from Bishkek after attacks on foreigners

2024-05-19 18:09:02, Kosova & Bota CNA

The situation in Bishkek has stabilized in the late hours of May 18, the police said, after violence by several groups against foreign students, which resulted in at least 29 people injured, including foreigners.

This situation has influenced the increase in diplomatic tensions between Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan and India.

Radio Free Europe correspondents have reported that the situation near the dormitory buildings, where foreigners live, in the eastern part of Bishkek, has calmed down on May 18, and that security measures have been strengthened.

Kyrgyz authorities have said that the Embassy of Pakistan and a dormitory with foreigners are being secured.

The Ministry of Health said on May 18 that 15 of the 29 people injured in a fight were sent to Bishkek hospital, while the others were treated at the scene.

The nationality of the injured students has not been disclosed, but the students have confirmed to Radio Free Europe that Pakistani students were involved in the incident and some of them are injured.

Indian media reported that Indian and Pakistani students were injured, while Indian authorities said they were monitoring the situation.

About 140 students and 40 Pakistani citizens left Bishkek in the late hours of May 18.

The students were received by the Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi at Lahore International Airport.

A second plane carrying Pakistanis is expected to arrive in Lahore on May 19.

The Kyrgyz government has said that four foreign nationals, born between 1993 and 2003, have been arrested following the violence.

They are said to be in custody, as they are suspected of hooliganism, but nothing more is known about them.

The government has said that those found guilty will be punished, although it has created the impression that it blames illegal migrants for the violence.

The Kyrgyz Interior Ministry said on May 18 that the violence was sparked after a May 13 video circulated on social media showing a group of "Asian-looking people" harassing foreign students and following them to a dormitory. , where at least one foreign student was attacked by several men and dragged away./ REL