Xinjiang official decries extremism

Deputy chairman blames 'overseas forces' for terror attacks in region

Several recent terror attacks in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region were carried out by people who had been "brainwashed", the region's deputy chairman said on Tuesday.

"We've seen people who are brainwashed by religious extremism carrying out attacks. We must prevent the spreading and promotion of extreme thought in the name of religion," Shi Dagang said at a news conference in Beijing.