BEIJING, Feb 28: Riots in the Chinese region of Xinjiang left at least 12 people dead on Tuesday, state news agency Xinhua reported.

The news agency said that ‘rioters’ killed at least 10 people, and police then shot dead two of those involved in the violence in Yecheng county, Kashgar prefecture.

Xinhua said that ‘violent mobs’ launched attacks at around 6pm (1000 GMT) and police were now in pursuit of those involved in the violence.

Xinjiang has been hit by sporadic bouts of violent unrest in the past few years.

Authorities in Xinjiang said last month they planned to recruit 8,000 extra police officers.—AFP