Bomb attack in China's Xinjiang, police response kill 18
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 24 June 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Bomb attack in China's Xinjiang, police response kill 18, 24 June 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/55b5f41fc.html [accessed 1 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
June 24, 2015
U.S.-based Radio Free Asia reports that ethnic Uyghurs attacked police with knives and bombs at a traffic checkpoint in China's far western Xinjiang region, and at least 18 people were killed.
The attack occurred at the beginning of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan on June 22 in the southern city of Kashgar, where tensions between Muslim Uyghurs 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.
Citing local police sources, Radio Free Asia said that suspects killed several police officers with knives and bombs at a traffic checkpoint in Kashgar, then armed police killed 15 suspects "designated as terrorists."
It said in all between 18 and 28 people were killed, including several bystanders, but that police estimates of the toll varied.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang told reporters that he could not immediately verify the report.
China has around 20 million Muslims, only a portion of whom are Uyghur.
Based on reporting by Radio Free Asia and Reuters
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
