Security forces in China’s Xinjiang province have reportedly shot dead thirteen people after they drove into a police station and set of an explosive.

Regional authorities, as cited by news agency AFP, say that three police officers suffered minor injuries in the incident.

Xinjiang has seen a spate of deadly attacks recently, where Muslim Uighur separatists seek autonomy from Beijing.

The government cracked down on the upsurge in violence.

Earlier this week 13 people were executed by authorities after being accused of terrorist activities.

May saw 43 people killed when a bomb detonated in a crowded market in the regional capital of Urumqi.

In March 29 people were killed after assailants wielding knives attacked people near a major railway station.