Police in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region said they have targeted a terrorist cell led by Abudulrehman Abudulkerep, who has connections with leaders of the overseas East Turkestan Islamic Movement and jihadist groups in Syria.

The East Turkestan Islamic Movement is a terrorist organization that seeks the secession of Xinjiang from China.

Abudulrehman claims that the terrorist group designated him its leader in Moyu county and demanded that others obey his orders. After receiving orders from the group's overseas leaders in mid-June, Abudulrehman told members of the terror cell to wage holy war and kill infidels.