At least 18 dead in Uygur attack in China’s Xinjiang region, says US-based Radio Free Asia
Bombs and knives used in assault on traffic checkpoint in southern Xinjiang city of Kashgar
Ethnic Uygurs attacked police with knives and bombs at a traffic checkpoint in Xinjiang, Radio Free Asia said on Wednesday, with at least 18 people being killed in the attack and police response.
The attack occurred at the beginning of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan on Monday in the southern city of Kashgar , where tensions between Muslim Uygurs who call the region home and the majority Han Chinese have led to bloodshed in recent years.
Hundreds have been killed in violence across the region, blamed by Beijing on Islamist militants.
Suspects killed several police officers with knives and bombs after speeding through a traffic checkpoint in a car in Kashgar's Tahtakoruk district, US-based Radio Free Asia said, citing Turghun Memet, an officer at a nearby police station.
Armed police responded to the attack and killed 15 suspects "designated as terrorists", Radio Free Asia cited Memet as saying.
It said in all between 18 and 28 people were killed, including several bystanders, but that police estimates of the toll varied.
Such incidents are often reported in overseas media but not confirmed by Beijing until days later, if ever.