Chinese city locks down after bombings

Six hours later, police hunted down five attackers who were hiding under a counter in a nearby market, Xinhua said. The men hurled bombs at the police, who fatally shot two of them, while the remaining three killed themselves with their own bombs, the news agency said.

Police declined to confirm the Xinhua account or comment on the discrepancies between it and the police statement.

One group that might be behind the attacks was the Turkestan Islamic Party, which issued the recent Olympics threat. The organization, which analysts believe is based in neighboring Pakistan, is fighting for Xinjiang independence.

Li Wei, a counterterrorism expert at a think tank with ties to the Chinese government, said the group's support has declined sharply in the past few years. It may be trying to boost its profile and influence by launching attacks during the games, said Li, of the China Institute for Contemporary International Relations.

But he added, "I don't think this incident could lead to the conclusion that their capabilities have increased, because even an extremely small number of people could draw enormous media attention."

Last Monday, two attackers killed 16 border police in the Xinjiang city of Kashgar, near the Pakistan-Afghan border. No one claim responsibility.

Martial law imposed
After Sunday's bombings, the authorities declared virtual martial law in Kuqa, about 1,740 miles (2,800 kilometers) west of Beijing with a population of 400,000. Downtown was closed, and roads leading to the area were blocked off during the morning and part of the afternoon. One man tried to step out of his shop, and a policeman quickly yelled at him, "Get back inside!"

Police in armored cars, SUVs and buses rumbled through the streets. The Kuqa Hotel — popular with tourists — was turned into a command center. Outside the hotel, about five soldiers were on their stomachs in sniper positions, aiming Kalashnikov assault rifles toward the road.

An Associated Press reporter and photographer were detained while they were reporting Sunday near the scene. Police took them to a hotel next to the bombed police station, and they were told not to leave until downtown reopened in the mid-afternoon.

Three European tourists who came to Kuqa to see one of its famous sites — rock-cut Buddhist caves and wall paintings — canceled their plans and made arrangements to leave on the next train.

One of the tourists said he was up late reading when he heard the attacks.

"I heard some bombs and then I heard some machine guns. The bombs sounded like thunder far away," said the tourist, who did not want his name or nationality mentioned for fear of the response from Chinese authorities.

More from msnbc.com Credit card debt, terms limit holiday spending  ConsumerMan: It’s a ruby ... but it’s not the real thing   Audi R8: German precision meets Latin flair  Battling for resources -- with guns, swords Cosmic Log: Light show sparks UFO buzz

MORE FROM BEIJING OLYMPICS NEWS

Beijing Olympics News Section Front

China’s gold medalists to receive $51,000 each China ends 'truly exceptional games' Castro defends athlete who kicked judge in face Beijing prepares for Olympic venues’ future China deports 10 activists after ceremony After victory, China's sports system at crossroads IOC president says Olympics opened up China New China? Bird's Nest replaces Mao on yuan Celizic: Phelps, Bolt will go down as Beijing's main men IOC: No proof China cheated in gymnastics Beijing Olympics News Section Front   Add Beijing Olympics News headlines to your news reader: