Police shot one suspect dead and arrested another after officers were attacked in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region on Thursday

Two men in a car stopped by police for inspection in Aksu, southern Xinjiang, in the afternoon used machetes to hack at the officers. They also threw explosives at a patrol car, according to the regional information office.

An assistant officer was injured in the attack.

The identities of the men and motives for the attack are being investigated.

On April 30, three people, including the two terrorists, were killed and 79 injured in an explosion at Urumqi South Railway Station in the regional capital.

Police have tightened security nationwide, deploying thousands of armed officers at public venues.

Li Juan, vice-president of Xinjiang Police College, said the fact that police officers stopped the men before they caused any damage on Thursday showed an improved capability to prevent attacks and ensure security.

She said the public had also responded to anti-terrorism campaigns by reporting suspicious people and vehicles, allowing police to respond quickly.

A national security document released on Tuesday said China had faced an increasing number of terrorist attacks in the past year, with 10 violent attacks reported.

The terrorists mainly targeted police and government agencies. All the attacks were related to extremists and separatists from Xinjiang, including one in Tian'anmen Square, Beijing, in October.

Xinjiang Daily reported on Thursday that five people had been sentenced to up to 15 years in prison at a recent trial for separatism and endangering national security.

Contact the writers at gaobo@chinadaily.com.cn and cuijia@chinadaily.com.cn.