Police seize over 1.8 tons of explosive materials in Xinjiang

Police have uncovered a major terrorist cell in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, arresting five of its members. They have also seized over 1.8 tons of explosive materials and destroyed 2 bomb making workshops. Authorities said the terrorists were producing bombs and planing an attack against crowded sites in the city of Hotan in southern Xinjiang.

Since the deadly attack in Urumqi last Thursday, security measures have been boosted in the region. So far this month, police have broken up 23 terror and religious extremist groups, detaining over 200 suspects. Police say the suspects learned how to make explosives online and used social media networks to organize and recruit people to join their terror activities.