Terror attack on Chinese embassy in Kyrgyz capital (Third lead)

An unidentified assailant on Tuesday rammed a Mitsubishi car into the gates of the Chinese embassy in the Kyrgyzstan capital, causing an explosion that killed him and injured five others. China has strongly condemned the terrorist attack.

The car bomb attack injured three people employed by the embassy and two others, Chinese Foreign Office spokesperson Hua Chunying told a press conference in Beijing.

According to reports, the Mitsubishi Delica car rammed into a gate of the embassy and exploded in the centre of the compound close to the ambassador's residence.

Hua termed terrorism "a public enemy of the international community", as well as the most serious threat in the region.

Hua said China was ready to cooperate with Kyrgyzstan and other countries in the region to fight terrorism and maintain regional safety and stability.

Kyrgyztan President Almazbek Atambayev has ordered a thorough investigation into the explosion. Secretary of the Defence 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 and provide all necessary security steps in public places as the country prepares for the 25th anniversary celebration of its independence and the Second World Nomad Games.

A Kyrgyz senior security officer said that it was a suicide car bombing attack.

--IANS

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