Three people attacked and killed the imam of Id Kah Mosque in Kashgar, south Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, after he performed the routine sunrise prayer at 6:58 am on Wednesday.

Two suspects were shot dead and one was arrested, local police said on Thursday evening.

The imam, Juma Tayier, 74, was a Muslim leader who constantly condemned those who carry out terrorist attacks in Xinjiang in the name of Islam. He was also the deputy president of the China Islamic Association.