Heavy casualties reported in Xinjiang terror attack

Police believe violent incident 'premeditated'

Chinese police officers patrol a street in Kashgar, Northwest Chinas Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, 23 July 2014. [Photo/IC]

URUMQI - Dozens of civilians were killed or injured in a terrorist attack in Kashgar prefecture of the Xinjiang Uyghur autonomous region early on Monday morning.

A gang of terrorists in Elixku township attacked local government offices and a police station with axes and machetes. Some later moved on to the nearby Huangdi township.

Dozens of residents and vehicles passing by were attacked. The dead and injured included Han and Uygur, according to the local police.

Police shot dozens of the attackers to death at the scene. Thirty-one cars were vandalized, including six set on fire.

A preliminary investigation showed that it was a premeditated terror attack. Further details are still under investigation.

China's national counterterrorism office issued a citizens' anti-terrorism manual on July 23 - the first of its kind - in Beijing, Shanghai, Henan and Guangdong provinces and the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, launching a "people's war against terrorism".

Xinhua contributed to this story.

yangwanli@chinadaily.com.cn