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Version 6 Version 7
Fatal blasts hit Chinese province Fatal blasts hit Chinese province
(about 2 hours later)
At least two people have been killed and several hurt after a series of blasts hit the western Chinese province of Xinjiang, state media has reported. There has been a series of bomb attacks on a police station and commercial buildings in the Chinese province of Xinjiang, state media has reported.
It said gunfire was also heard in the early hours in southern Kuqa county. It said two policemen had been injured and five attackers killed in the early hours in southern Kuqa county.
The attacks happened at offices belonging to the local government and security forces, a spokesman for the World Uighur Congress told the BBC. Witnesses reported that the explosions had been followed by sporadic gunfire, and that troops had been deployed.
Earlier this week, China said 16 policemen were killed in an attack by Islamist separatists in Xinjiang.Earlier this week, China said 16 policemen were killed in an attack by Islamist separatists in Xinjiang.
"There were several explosions in several places in Kuqa this morning," said a woman who was on duty at the Kuqa People's Hospital, quoted by the Associated Press news agency.
She said several people were in critical condition.
Olympics threat
World Uighur Congress spokesman Dilxat Raxit told the BBC that the Chinese government was responsible for the latest blasts because of what he called repressive policies in Xinjiang.World Uighur Congress spokesman Dilxat Raxit told the BBC that the Chinese government was responsible for the latest blasts because of what he called repressive policies in Xinjiang.
"In order to stop the East Turkestan situation getting worse, I urge the international community to exert pressure on China to immediately stop its systematic repressive government policies," he said."In order to stop the East Turkestan situation getting worse, I urge the international community to exert pressure on China to immediately stop its systematic repressive government policies," he said.
Olympics threat
Xinjiang is home to many Muslim Uighur people.Xinjiang is home to many Muslim Uighur people.
Kuqa county itself is almost exclusively populated by Uighurs.Kuqa county itself is almost exclusively populated by Uighurs.
Uighur separatists in Xinjiang have waged a low-level campaign against Chinese rule for decades.Uighur separatists in Xinjiang have waged a low-level campaign against Chinese rule for decades.
The incident comes a day after the Olympic Games opened in Beijing, with a spectacular display of fireworks, music and dancing. The latest incident comes a day after the Olympic Games opened in Beijing, with a spectacular display of fireworks, music and dancing.
Human rights groups say Beijing is suppressing the rights of Uighurs.Human rights groups say Beijing is suppressing the rights of Uighurs.
Correspondents say China has spoken in the past of what it calls a terrorist threat from Muslim militants in Xinjiang, but it has provided little evidence to back up its claims.Correspondents say China has spoken in the past of what it calls a terrorist threat from Muslim militants in Xinjiang, but it has provided little evidence to back up its claims.