Deadly clashes in China's Xinjiang

Clashes in China's restive Xinjiang region have left 21 people dead, including 15 police and officials;  local government.

It is very difficult to verify reports from Xinjiang; reporters

The incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon in Bachu county, Kashgar, a statement on the official Xinjiang government website said.

It began when officials searched homes for weapons, it said. Six "gang members" were among the dead, it said.

A Xinhua report said "violent attacks" had caused deaths, but did not expand.

There have been sporadic clashes in Xinjiang in recent years amid rumbling ethnic tensions between the Muslim Uighur and Han Chinese communities. In 2009 almost 200 people were killed after deadly rioting erupted.

It is very difficult to verify reports from Xinjiang. Foreign journalists are allowed to travel to the region but frequently face intimidation and harassment when attempting to verify news of ethnic rioting or organised violence against government authorities.

Eight other "gang members" were captured, it said. Ten of the officials and police killed were ethnic Uighurs, it said.
Source: BBC Posted by Unknown 4/24/2013