China security minister wants Xinjiang terror crackdown to reach 'every house and village'

Public Security Minister Guo Shengkun said the crackdown on terrorism "should reach every single village and household" as he paid a visit to Xinjiang, the scene of a series of violent attacks the authorities have blamed on militant Muslim separatists.

Guo toured the far western region at the weekend and told the authorities that the fight against terror had to reach into all areas so that long-term stability could be maintained, state media reported.

Guo also told officials they needed to significantly strengthen their intelligence gathering to prevent attacks.

The minister visited Shache county near Kashgar where nearly 100 people were killed in a series of attacks on July 28.

Knife-wielding militants stormed a police station and government offices, Xinhua reported.

Thirty-seven civilians and 59 suspects were killed.

Guo also visited Xinjiang in April and May in the wake of other attacks.