The U.S. Embassy in Bishkek has issued a warning about the possibility of terrorist attacks being carried out in Kyrgyzstan.

The embassy said in a statement on October 8 that it had information suggesting there could be kidnapping and hostage-taking attempts against local officials or foreign diplomats in Kyrgyzstan in October.

It said there were no known threats against U.S. citizens but that they should exercise caution when in Kyrgyzstan.

On August 30, a suicide car bomber attacked the Chinese Embassy compound in Bishkek, killing himself and injuring three Kyrgyz employees of the embassy. Kyrgyz authorities later identified the attacker as an Islamist of Uyghur origin.

In October 2015, nine convicted Islamist militants escaped a detention center in Bishkek, killing four prison guards. Six of the escapees were recaptured shortly afterwards, while three were killed in a shoot-out.

Kyrgyz authorities have arrested dozens of men and women suspected of being members of various banned Islamic groups and organizations in recent years.

According to official data, some 500 Kyrgyz citizens joined the Islamic state terrorist organization in Syria.

