Dozens of civilians were killed or injured in a terrorist attack early on Monday morning in Shache County, Kashgar Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, local police said.

A gang armed with knives and axes attacked a police station and government offices in Elixku Township, and some moved on to the nearby Huangdi Township, attacking civilians and smashing vehicles as they passed. Dozens of Uygur and Han civilians were killed or injured, according to the local police.

Police officers at the scene shot dead dozens of members of the mob.

Thirty one cars were vandalized,including 6 which were set on fire.

Initial investigation showed that it was an "organized and premeditated" terror attack, according to the local police. Further investigation is underway.

Shache witnessed another terror attack on December 30, 2013 when nine terrorists attacked a police station wielding knives. They threw explosives and set police cars on fire. Police shot dead eight terrorists.

On May 22, an attack on a market in Urumqi left 31 dead and 94 injured.

Fresh Xinjiang violence blasphemy against Islam

Dozens of civilians were killed and injured in a premeditated attack by an armed gang in Xinjiang early Monday. Initial investigation has suggested that it could have been another terrorist attack.

Following are some quick viewpoints:

-- The latest attack in southern Xinjiang, largely populated by ethnic Uygur, aims to destabilize the region and spread fear and hatred, as did similar recent attacks.

-- Police shooting dead of the mobsters was decisive and well justified. It prevented more civilian casualties, from both Han and Uygur ethnic groups.

-- The attack came one day ahead of Eid al-Fitr, the end of Ramadan, the holiest month for Muslims. The festival should have been observed in peace, with spiritual reflection and improvement.

-- The attack is against the spirit of Ramadan, which is about the practice of self-discipline and self-control. During Ramadan, devout Muslims refrain from any behavior that could be perceived as sinful, such as swearing, let along slaughtering innocent people.

-- The rioters were committing blasphemy against Islam, "the religion of peace."

-- The attack coincided one of the most important trade fairs in Kashgar, which was widely expected to restore some of the dented investment confidence after previous violence. The latest attack is doomed to hurt the economy.