A suspected bomber was shot and killed Friday morning outside the Israeli embassy in the Uzbek capital of Tashkent as unrest racked the eastern part of the country, according to the U.S. embassy and Israel's Foreign Ministry.
The Israeli ambassador, in a conversation with Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom, confirmed a report by an Uzbek police official who said the suspect was carrying wooden objects that only appeared to be explosives, Israel Radio reported.
The clothing of the suspected bomber, who was wearing an overcoat, aroused the suspicion of the guards outside the embassy, who called for him to halt. When he continued approaching the building, they shot him in the leg. The suspect continued moving toward the embassy, and was shot and killed by the guards.
The five Israeli staff members at the embassy were inside the building at the time of the incident and there were no injuries. The incident is being investigated.
Shalom said he ordered security measures boosted at Israeli diplomatic missions around the world. He also told the radio that the Tashkent Jewish community went on alert following the Friday morning incident. Shalom said the high alert - entailing stepped up patrols at each embassy - was in place until further notice. "There are many groups always trying to attack Israeli missions ... We have to always be prepared," Shalom said. "The alert will be continued as long as the situation warrants it." |