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Update | Uygur militant behind attack on China’s embassy in Kyrgyzstan named by security service

Authorities in central Asian nation say suicide bombing was planned in Syria

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The aftermath of the attack on the Chinese embassy in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Photo: EPA

Authorities in Kyrgyzstan have blamed Uygur militants in Syria for masterminding the suicide bomb attack against the Chinese embassy in the Central Asian country.

A van exploded after ramming through a gate at China’s diplomatic outpost in Kyrgyzstan’s capital Bishkek on August 30, killing the driver and injuring three local embassy employees.

Police officers examine the broken gates of the Chinese Embassy in Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan, following the suicide bombing. Photo: AP
Police officers examine the broken gates of the Chinese Embassy in Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan, following the suicide bombing. Photo: AP
The suspected suicide bomber was an ethnic Uygur who held a Tajik passport in the name of Zoir Khalilov, Kyrgyzstan’s state security service said on Tuesday.
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Khalilov was a member of the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), the GKNB security service said in a statement.

China has condemned the attack and urged Kyrgyz authorities to quickly investigate.

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Kyrgyz police officers gather outside the Chinese embassy in Bishkek following the suicide bombing on August 30. Photo: AFP
Kyrgyz police officers gather outside the Chinese embassy in Bishkek following the suicide bombing on August 30. Photo: AFP
“The investigation established that the terrorist act was ordered by Uygur terrorist groups active in Syria and affiliated to the terrorist organisation the Nusra Front whose emissaries ... financed the terrorist action,” the GKNB said.
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