Knife-carrying assailants have reportedly killed nine police officers and up to 17 civilians during riots on Tuesday in China, in an attack that only ended when 10 of the thugs were shot dead, according to reports.
Three more were injured in the bloody attack that took place in Lukqun Township in Xinjiang, reports Xinhua, a Chinese media station. Violence has erupted of late as tensions reached a breaking point between the Muslim Uighurs and the Hans, who rule the area. Dilxat Raxit, a spokesman for World Uyghur Congress, said the fighting started because of "sustained repression and provocation" of the Uighur community.
The rioters have targeted government buildings and a construction site, according to Xinhua, and three of the knife-wielders were allegedly arrested. Raxit was quoted recommending the Chinese government "stop imposing policies in Xinjiang that cause turmoil."
While this mess has been termed "riots" by many, the Chinese government is terming it a terrorist attack. The attackers were referred to as "terrorist" and "knife-wielding mobs" by the government and Xinhua. A spokesperson for the Han government, Hua Chunying, said that the government "protects all the rights, including the freedom of religious beliefs by people of all ethnic groups."
At present, all cars and vehicles entering or leaving the area are "subject to searches in an attempt to track down those still at large," according to The Global Times.
This outburst of violence is likely the worst since 200 people lost their lives in fighting in Urumqi in 2009. According to Yahoo!, the Xianjiang government was preparing for threats with the looming anniversary of those bloody times a week away.
There is no official death toll, because of an "information blackout and security crackdown" but the numbers are ranging from 35 to 46 deaths.
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