Suspects killed, captured after Xinjiang imam's murder

Police have shot dead two suspects and captured another in their investigation of the murder of a Chinese religious leader in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Wednesday, local public security authorities said on Thursday.

The killings and arrest happened as the suspects resisted arrest with knives and axes at noon on Wednesday, according to the authorities.

Turghun Tursun, Memetjan Remutillan and Nurmemet Abidilimit were wanted over the murder of Jume Tahir, imam of China's largest mosque, the Id Kah Mosque in the city of Kashgar.

The 74-year-old, who enjoyed a high reputation among Muslims nationwide, was killed at 6:58 am on Wednesday after he finished hosting the morning ritual.

According to police, the three suspects, influenced by religious extremism, planned to "do something big" to increase their influence.

Further investigation is under way.