Terror on Xingfu Road: Survivor's testimony of Xinjiang's '2·28 attack'

Chen Jizhong, a witness and survivor of the infamous "2·28 terrorist attack" in Xinjiang, vividly recalls the chaos and bravery that unfolded on Xingfu Road, sharing his traumatic experience a decade after the tragic event.

In the midst of a seemingly ordinary afternoon on Xingfu Road on Feb 28, 2012, Chen, a shop-owner, found himself plunged into the chaos of a terrorist attack that would leave an indelible mark on his memory.

Speaking to researchers from Jinan University in Guangdong province, Chen recounted the events of that fateful day, part of a collective oral history documenting survivors of the "2·28 terrorist attack."

Chen and his friends were playing cards in his shop when the tranquil atmosphere was shattered by shouts of people hacking others nearby. Confused and unaware of the unfolding tragedy, Chen and his companions struggled to make sense of the situation.

Chen, 48, a Sichuan native who had moved to Yecheng in the early 1990s, vividly described the chaotic scene. Shoppers ran, assuming it was a group fight or a result of intoxication.

Little did they know, nine terrorists were launching a killing spree on Xingfu Road, targeting unsuspecting passersby and shopkeepers.

Amid the mayhem, Chen prioritized the safety of his son, swiftly moving him to an attic on the second floor and barricading the stairway. Unbeknownst to him, the attackers, armed with machetes, were wreaking havoc just meters away.

Realizing the gravity of the situation, Chen and other bystanders armed themselves with improvised weapons, such as fish nets and wooden sticks, to confront the terrorists. In a desperate attempt to fend off the assailants, Chen and his group engaged in a fierce struggle.

"We were scared, so we ran to the yard of the county government," Chen recounted, emphasizing the terror that unfolded as innocent people were attacked.

In the ensuing chaos, Chen and his fellow defenders used mops, wooden sticks, and fish nets to fight back. Recounting the pivotal moment when they managed to subdue one of the terrorists, Chen expressed a mix of fear and determination. The assailant, devoid of expression with dull, lifeless eyes, was eventually apprehended by the arriving police, he said.

Despite minor injuries sustained during the confrontation, Chen emphasized the collective effort that thwarted the attackers, preventing more significant harm.

Reflecting on the passage of the past 10 years, Chen expressed hope that such a tragedy would not recur, acknowledging the considerable improvements in security due to enhanced counterterrorism efforts in Xinjiang.

"This is undoubtedly what everyone wants," he concluded, sharing a sentiment of resilience and collective determination to prevent future acts of terror.