West China

32 terror groups busted in Xinjiang

2014-06-24 10:58:03

URUMQI, June 23 (Xinhua) -- A total of 32 terror gangs were busted; over 380 suspects apprehended; and 315 people sentenced by the courts in the first month of the anti-terror campaign in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Public security departments seized 264 explosive devices, 3.15 tonnes of explosive material and 357 controlled knives, Wang Qianrong, deputy head of the regional public security department, told a news briefing.

The police confiscated computers and books on terrorism and religious extremism during raids on 21 illegal preaching sites and training camps, Wang said.

Six police officers died in the line of duty over the past month.

Courts in Xinjiang convicted 315 people involved in 120 cases, of terrorist attacks, religious extremism, manufacturing of guns and explosives, spreading of terrorist propaganda, and illegally crossing international borders.

Thirteen people were executed a week ago for organizing, leading and participating in terrorist groups; murder; arson; theft; and illegal manufacture, storage and transportation of explosives, in Aksu, Turpan and Hotan.

The campaign was launched after the May 22 bombing of a market in the regional capital Urumqi that killed 39 people.

Wang said that Xinjiang people from all ethnic groups are joining forces with the government and police to fight terrorism. Police have received more than 400 tipoffs, based on which 12 terrorist and extremist groups were identified and more than 80 suspects captured.

Data from the regional public security shows that 96 percent of terror cases were identified and thwarted at the planning stage.

Editor:Zhang Yi