Terrorists Indited 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.