Paramilitary troops commenced round-the-clock patrols in the restive western province of Xinjiang, where clashes between security forces and Islamist Uighurs have claimed the lives of at least 56 people in the past few months. Authorities have blamed recent violence on a 17-member militant Islamist cell formed in January by a man identified as Aihemaitiniyazi Sidike. At least five members of the cell were captured, including the alleged mastermind.
