Bishkek, the capital city of Kyrgyzstan, has been embroiled in chaos as violent mobs target dormitories hosting international students from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India. In response to the mob violence, India and Pakistan have issued advisories to their students, urging them to remain indoors for safety.
Following the advisories, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic condemned the dissemination of false information about the situation in Kyrgyzstan, particularly in Pakistan. The unrest stemmed from a scuffle between locals and foreign students, notably from Pakistan and Egypt, which escalated into violence captured on video and shared widely on social media.
On May 16, international students, especially those from Pakistan and India, were singled out and attacked, exacerbating the already tense situation. Despite pleas for help, local mobs continued to assault foreign students, resulting in injuries to at least 14 Pakistani students. Amid the chaos, authorities detained three foreigners suspected of engaging in hooliganism.
Reports indicate that mobs targeted dormitories of medical universities housing students from Bangladesh and Pakistan, with women students reportedly facing harassment and many sustaining injuries. The Pakistani Embassy in Bishkek advised its students to remain indoors until the situation improved, though no confirmed reports of deaths or rapes have been received thus far.
In response to the unrest, S Jaishankar, the minister of external affairs, reassured that the situation in Bishkek was currently calm and urged students to maintain contact with the Indian embassy. While tensions remain high, efforts are being made to ensure the safety and well-being of all international students affected by the violence in Kyrgyzstan.