China forces kill attackers in Xinjiang

Chinese security forces have killed eight people who attacked a police station in the country’s restive far western region of Xinjiang, officials say.

The incident took place in Shache (Yarkand) County near the old Silk Road city of Kashgar on Monday, the Xinjiang government said in a statement.

“At around 6:30 a.m., nine thugs carrying knives attacked a police station in Kashgar’s Yarkand County, throwing explosive devices and setting police cars on fire,” the brief statement said.

“The police took decisive measures, shooting dead eight and capturing one,” it added.

Xinjiang, home to the mostly Muslim Uighur community, has been the scene of numerous deadly clashes in recent years.

On December 15, around 16 people including two policemen were killed in a clash between Chinese security forces and armed men in Shufu County of Xinjiang.

According to the state-run Tianshan news portal, the incident took place when a group of people armed with explosive devices and knives attacked police officers who were attempting to arrest “criminal suspects.”

Last month, at least nine civilians and two policemen reportedly lost their lives when a group of armed people attacked a police station near Kashgar.