China commandos in Xinjiang worries Pak

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http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/china/China-commandos-in-Xinjiang-worries-Pak/articleshow/9597168.cms

BEIJING: Within days of pointing the finger at Pakistan as the source of strength for terrorists in its Xinjiang province, China on Saturday sent an elite military commando unit to the region bordering its western neighbour.

A worried Pakistan reacted by dangling the carrot of playing the role of a "conduit for China to reach out to the Muslim world". The move suggests a possible crackdown by the military, which may be gradually losing confidence over the ability of Xinjiang's local forces to tackle well-trained terrorists flowing in from across the border in Pakistan. The People's Liberation Army's Snow Leopard Commando unit is expected to carry out "anti-terrorist missions" in Kashgar and Hotan area, which were hit by deadly violence in recent weeks.

The elite force will focus on riot control, bomb disposal and be prepared to react to any possible hijacking attempts by the separatists, the official media said. The government is trying to ensure security at a forthcoming trade conference in the region, which saw killing of 30 people in July.