China Knife Attack: 36 People Dead After Stabbings At Police Station

A knife attack at a police station in China's Xinjiang province in the west left at least 36 people dead, authorities said Wednesday. The attack is the second-deadliest in recent years following a riot in 2009 that left 2000 people dead, UPI reported. Police in China said the attack occurred when a group armed with knives stormed the station located in the Turpan Perfecture, Inquisitr reported.

Nine police officers and 17 civilians were killed in the attack while 10 of the attackers were gunned down. Three attackers were arrested following the incident. Police said the attack occurred as a means of "protest," but there is little evidence or confirmation regarding specific details of the event. A Xinjiang Public Security Bureau spokeswoman told reporters that she had no information regarding the attack as she had only heard about it through media reports.

A spokesperson for the World Uyghur Congress alleged that the attack started due to China's discrimination of the Uighur community. For the Uighur, it is difficult to get passports, jobs and loans. There are also heavy restrictions placed on their religious beliefs and cultural practices, the Associated Press reported. Officials in China deny the allegations, saying that all cultural groups in China are treated fairly. The U.S. released a statement demanding an investigation by Chinese government officials about the treatment of the Uighur and the cause of the sudden violence.