Roundup: Kyrgyzstan's intelligence agency initiates investigation into attack on Chinese Embassy

The State Committee for National Security of Kyrgyzstan, an intelligence agency, has initiated a criminal investigation into the attack targeting the Chinese Embassy in Kyrgyzstan capital Bishkek, the press service of the agency said on Tuesday.

The attack on the Chinese embassy in Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday morning involved a suicide car bomber, who was killed instantly.

According to preliminary data, three Kyrgyz employees of the embassy were wounded in the terrorist attack and their injuries were not serious.

Three people of the Chinese embassy were also injured in the attack, said China's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying at a press conference.

Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev was briefed on Tuesday by heads of law enforcement agencies about the preliminary investigation into the terrorist attack, the press service of the presidential office said.

The president ordered Chairman of the State Committee for National Security Abdil Segizbayev and Interior Minister Kashkar Dzhunushaliev to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.

Secretary of the Defense Council Temir Dzhumakadyrov has been instructed to lead the investigation.

In addition, Atambayev ordered the government and the heads of security agencies to step up anti-terrorism measures in the capital and elsewhere, strengthening the protection of important facilities and diplomatic missions and providing all necessary security measures in public places.

The attack occurred just one day before Kyrgyzstan celebrates its 25th anniversary of independence from the former Soviet Union. The country will also host the Second World Nomad Games on Sept. 3-8.

The suicide bomber has been blown into pieces, and local police are trying to identify the assailant using DNA extracted from remains of the attacker.

The explosion also caused damage to the Chinese embassy's east door and walls, as well as buildings next to the Chinese embassy.

The embassy compound and the area in the vicinity are currently under police blockade due to security concerns, with bomb disposal experts working on the scene.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry immediately expressed shock at the attack. It strongly condemned the car bombing, and required Kyrgyzstan to "take immediate and necessary measures to ensure the safety of Chinese people and institutions," Hua said.

She urged the Kyrgyz side to investigate the bombing and bring the perpetrators to justice.

So far, no one has claimed responsibility for the attack. Endit