Mob violence in Kyrgyzstan: Indian students asked to stay indoors amid targeted attacks on foreign students

India has issued advisory to students in Kyrgyzstan to stay indoors after reports of attacks on foreign students in the capital city of Bishkek emerged on Friday.

The advisory was issued after several Pakistani students were injured in mob violence in their hostel, reported NDTV.

Reportedly, three Pakistani students have been killed in the violence, prompting Islamabad and New Delhi to issue advisories for its nationals in Kyrgyzstan.

However, Pakistan's Kyrgyzstan consulate in a post on X said that they have not received any confirmed report regarding the same.

The mob targeted hostels of medical universities in Bishkek, which are inhabited by students from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. No Indian students have been injured in the attacks, the report said.

"We are in touch with our students. The situation is presently calm but students are advised to stay indoors for the moment and get in touch with the Embassy in case of any issue. Our 24×7 contact number is 0555710041," the Indian Consulate said on X (formerly Twitter).

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also advised students to stay in regular touch with the embassy.
"Monitoring the welfare of Indian students in Bishkek. Situation is reportedly calm now. Strongly advise students to stay in regular touch with the Embassy," Jaishankar said.

According to an India Today report, the violence erupted following an argument at a hostel between locals and foreign students, including Pakistanis and Egyptians. 

A video of the fight, which allegedly happened on May 13, went viral on social media and the violence spilt onto the streets of Bishkek, it said.

As per the Indian Embassy in Kyrgyzstan, the present situation is reportedly "calm". However, the Pakistani embassy has claimed several attacks on students from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh were carried out. Both the missions have issued emergency helplines for students to get in touch with.