Witnesses' account of Xinjiang terror attacks

Terrorists incited by 'three evil forces'

The knife-wielding rioters slaughtered innocent people regardless of sex, age or ethnicity.

Police evidence shows that these terrorists were incited into action and deluded by the "three evil forces" of terrorism, separatism and extremism.

Police said illegal religious activities and religious extremism have been increasing in Xinjiang in recent years due to the influence of hostile forces both at home and abroad. Some young people have had their thoughts changed and been deluded by religious extremists in videos about the "jihad."

Moreover, the "three evil forces" have frequently deluded and instigated hatred between different ethnics through online rumors. The collusion between the hostile forces at home and abroad made terrorists more organized.

Some extremist religious groups and extremist individuals organized illegal religious activities on the Internet, spread religious extremism, advocated the "jihad," recruited members and organized and plotted terrorist activities.

Many local residents said the public security situation in Lukqun Township had been deteriorating over the past year or two amid the growing religious extremism.

Abdurehim, a Lukqun resident, said some people have been advocating religious extremism by claiming that those who oppose their opinions are not real Muslims.

Li Changqing, chief officer of the town's police station who shot several rioters, said all the rioters were local people, mostly in their early-20s, who were affected by religious extremism.

Li said that some people had previously tried to stop all stores in the township from selling cigarettes and alcohol. They assaulted those who disobeyed them, set fires and created disorder in the township.

Investigations show that these acts were conducted by some religious extremists. Police had already arrested some suspects. The violent attack on June 26 occurred while those people were being investigated, said Li.

"We do not rule out that the direct cause of the terrorist attack was revenge by some extremists against the administrative and law enforcement departments. And the underlying cause is that they were brainwashed by extreme religious thoughts," Li said.

On June 25, one day ahead of the terrorist attack, police apprehended one member of the terrorists. Fearing their illegal activities would be exposed, Ahmatniyaz Sidiq, the terrorist ringleader, called on his accomplices to stage the attack.

Some of the rioters had previous convictions. Police investigations show that 40-year-old Ahmatniyaz Sidiq was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison at the end of 2001 for joining in a separatist group. Eli Ahmatniyaz, 31, a core member of the group, was also sentenced to four years in prison in 2004 for the same reason.

"I can hardly understand why they slaughtered indiscriminately. Don't they have their own parents and children?" said policeman Askar.

He said the incident disrupted normal life and harmony in the township, and people must stay vigilant against terrorists.

Crackdown on terrorists urged

A series of violent terrorist attacks in Xinjiang have taken many lives and created huge losses, damaging Xinjiang's social progress and ethnic unity.

Religious extremism has become the biggest threat to Xinjiang's security, said a Xinjiang researcher at Lanzhou Military Command Area, who requested anonymity in discussing the matter.

The "three evil forces" of terrorism, separatism and extremism were boosted, partly because some countries offered consent and support religious extremist forces, the researcher said.

"The violent terrorist attacks this year mainly targeted grassroots government agencies. The terrorists killed officials and residents of Uygur and other ethnics," said Pan Zhiping, a researcher at the Xinjiang Academy of Social Sciences.

"The attacks are typical cases of terrorism," Pan said. "They are targetting the Communist Party of China and the Chinese government, in an attempt to disrupte the good prospects of Xinjiang's development."

Whenever a violent terrorist attack occurs, the "three evil forces" and other hostile forces abroad will give speeches that confuse right and wrong, mislead the public and slander the Chinese government. Such speeches have encouraged the arrogance of terrorists, according to experts.

Yiblayan Eli, the last attacker at large in the Lukqun violent attack, was captured on June 30, thanks to tips given to police by the public. Two people selling knives to the terrorists were also arrested on the same day.

"Lukqun is a beautiful and peaceful town. The rioters damaged our good life and we hate them," said Zaytuna Ghalip, an employee at a photo studio in town. "But I believe our town will become better and safer."

"A dog's bark will never make a camel go astray," Turghan Pida, director of the Ethnic Affairs Commission of Xinjiang, said by citing a local proverb.

He said the terrorists could not represent any ethnic or any religion.

"They betrayed their motherland and their people. They are the common enemies of every Xinjiang people," Turghan Pida said.

Meanwhile, Xinjiang is facing a severe situation in maintaining stability.

A top Xinjiang public security official said police officers will always stay active in fighting terrorist crimes and severely crack down on terrorists. He also called on the public to actively expose terrorist schemes and contribute to maintaining social stability.

"Xinjiang is developing really fast. It has so many opportunities, especially in Turpan. Everything is developing very fast and we must cherish such good days," said a wounded policeman, who added that he will return to work after he is discharged from the hospital.

But the violent attack has cast a shadow over the small town in the midst of its harvest season.

"The grapes will start ripening by the end of July. We will convince traders to come to Lukqun and buy our products. The difficulty is only temporary," said Abdu Raxman Gupur, head of the township government.