Analysis | Terrorists changing tactics to create panic among civilians, analysts say in wake of Kunming attack
The attack at Kunming's train station shows terrorists are targeting defenceless civilians in cities far from Xinjiang in an attempt to spread panic ahead of two key national political meetings, analysts said.
The attack at Kunming's train station shows terrorists are targeting defenceless civilians in cities far from Xinjiang in an attempt to spread panic ahead of two key national political meetings, analysts said.
Xinhua described the incident as a terrorist attack that was "planned and organised by separatist forces from Xinjiang", the restive western autonomous region, home to the mainly Muslim Uygur minority.
More than 100 people have died in a string of incidents in the area over the past year.
Last October, three people died carrying out what Beijing described as a terrorist suicide attack in Tiananmen Square that killed two others and left dozens injured.
Officials blamed the East Turkestan Islamic Movement for the incident, which occurred 10 days before a crucial Communist Party meeting.
"Terrorists are using all means to create widespread social panic … across China," said Pan Zhiping, an expert on terrorism at Xinjiang Social Science Academy. "The timing of the Kunming attack implies the terrorists want to create the biggest impact possible.