Two policemen and nine suspected Islamist militants were killed in a clash when rebels attacked a police station in the Uyghur-majority Xinjiang province of northwest China today.
Two policemen were also injured in the attack on the police station in Serikbuya Township of Bachu County in Kashgar Prefecture.
The nine assailants, including one identified as Abla Ehet, were armed with knives and axes, state-run Xinhua quoted local police as saying.
The restive Xinjiang province faced unrest between Uyghurs and members of Han community over the increasing settlements of Hans in the province.
China blames East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), fighting for independence of Xinjiang, for the violence.
Beijing blamed the group for the October 29 suicide attack at the Tiananmen square in which five people, including three suicide attackers, were killed and 40 others injured.
