For the first time, China today blamed Uighur “militants” trained in Pakistan for the violence in its restive Xinjiang province, which has left at least 20 people dead in the past two days.
“The initial probe found that the group’s leaders had learned how to make explosives and firearms in overseas camps of the terrorist group ETIM (East Turkmenistan Islamic Movement) in Pakistan before entering Xinjiang to organise terrorist activities,” an official statement said.
The statement came amid reports of a secret visit of ISI Chief Lt Gen. Ahmed Shuja Pasha to China today.
Meanwhile, Islamabad said it would extend “full cooperation” to China in countering the ETIM rebels. Saying “all incidents of terrorism were deplorable”, Foreign Office spokesperson Tehmina Janjua said: “Pakistan is confident that the patriotic people of Xinjiang autonomous region of... China and, in particular, Kashgar, as well as the Chinese government, will succeed in frustrating evil designs of the terrorists, extremists and separatists.”
While China has been pressing Pakistan to crack down on ETIM militants for long, it is perhaps the first time that it has chosen to openly point a finger at it. Beijing’s statement is being seen as a strong message that China’s patience is running out despite its close ties with Pakistan.
Kashghar, located close to PoK, has witnessed the worst violence against the Chinese mainland Hans over the past two days.
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