The two assailants behind China's deadliest militant assault in a decade were Islamic jihadis intent on turning 2008 into a 'year of mourning' for the Olympic host nation, the Chinese authorities claimed today.

Shi Dagang, the local Communist party chief, described yesterday's killing of 16 police in Kashgar as part of a well-plotted and long-planned attack.

He vowed to fight back against separatist forces whom he accused of plotting 'monthly major events' until the end of the Olympics. ...