DOZENS of civilians were killed or injured in a terrorist attack early Monday morning in Shache County, Kashgar Prefecture, Northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, local police said.

    A gang armed with knives attacked a police station and government offices in Elixku Township, and some moved on to the nearby Huangdi Township, attacking civilians and smashing vehicles as they passed. Dozens of Uygur and Han civilians were killed or injured, according to local police.

    Police officers at the scene shot dead dozens of members of the mob.

    Thirty-one cars were vandalized, including six that were set on fire.

    An initial investigation showed that it was a premeditated terror attack and further investigation is underway.

    Last month, Xinjiang authorities said that police shot 13 people dead after they drove into a police building and set off an explosive device.

    In June last year at least 35 people were killed when, according to State media, knife-wielding mobs attacked police stations, drawing fire from security personnel.

    (SD-Xinhua)