Violent Attack Unfolds
A serious incident involving a knife attack occurred at a dormitory housing international students at the Bashkir State Medical University in Ufa, located
in Russia's Bashkortostan Republic. The assault resulted in several individuals sustaining injuries, with four of them being Indian students. Adding to the gravity of the situation, two police officers were also wounded during the ordeal. Preliminary reports suggest that a young assailant, identified as a 15-year-old, entered the premises armed with a knife and began attacking students. The situation escalated significantly when the attacker resisted arrest, leading to the stabbing of the responding police officers. The suspect also inflicted self-harm during the confrontation, contributing to the chaos and the multiple injuries reported.
Embassy's Swift Response
Following the distressing news from Ufa, the Indian Embassy immediately confirmed its awareness of the attack and initiated contact with local authorities to gather more information and offer support. In a statement released on X, the Embassy conveyed its concern, stating, "An unfortunate incident of attack has occurred in Ufa. Several persons, including four Indian students, have been injured." They further elaborated that officials from the Consulate in Kazan were dispatched to Ufa to provide direct assistance to the affected Indian students. This proactive approach by the Indian diplomatic mission underscores their commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of their citizens abroad during times of crisis and complex investigations.
Investigation Underway
The Russian Investigative Committee has officially launched a thorough probe into the stabbing incident to ascertain all the facts and circumstances surrounding the attack. While the authorities have not yet released the complete identities or nationalities of all those injured, initial reports from Telegram channel 112, referencing eyewitness accounts, indicated that at least one victim was Indian. Speculation about the possibility of more than one attacker also emerged from these early reports. The 15-year-old perpetrator, who sustained injuries during his apprehension, is currently receiving treatment in a local children's hospital, reportedly in serious condition. The four injured students and the two police officers are being cared for at a local clinical hospital, according to information shared by the Baza Telegram channel. Eyewitnesses have described scenes of extreme distress and disarray following the attack, with one account mentioning blood being visible throughout the area.
