Shopkeeper describes fending off assailants

Chen Jizhong, a survivor of the infamous terrorist attack on Feb 28, 2012, in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, vividly recalls the chaos and bravery that unfolded on Xingfu Road, sharing his traumatic experience 12 years after the tragic event.

In the midst of a seemingly ordinary afternoon on the road in Yecheng county, Chen, a shopowner, found himself plunged into the chaos of atrocities that would leave an indelible mark on his life.

Speaking to researchers from Jinan University in Guangdong province, Chen recounted the events of that fateful day as part of a collective oral history documenting survivors of the "Feb 28 terrorist attack". His tale was among others featured in a special report titled Victims and Survivors of Terrorism in China: An Oral History.

Chen and his friends were playing cards in his shop when the tranquil atmosphere was shattered by shouts of people hacking others nearby. Confused and unaware of the unfolding tragedy, Chen and his companions struggled to make sense of the situation.

Chen, 48, a Sichuan native who had moved to Yecheng in the early 1990s, vividly described the chaotic scene. Shoppers ran, assuming it was a gang fight or a row caused by someone who was intoxicated.

Little did they know, nine terrorists were launching a killing spree on Xingfu Road, targeting unsuspecting passersby and shopkeepers.

Amid the mayhem, Chen prioritized the safety of his son, swiftly moving him to an attic on the second floor and barricading the stairway. Unbeknownst to him, the attackers, armed with machetes, were wreaking havoc just meters away.

Realizing the gravity of the situation, Chen and other bystanders armed themselves with improvised weapons to confront the terrorists. In a desperate attempt to fend off the assailants, Chen and his group engaged in a fierce struggle.

"We were scared, so we ran to the yard of the county government," Chen recounted.

In the ensuing chaos, Chen and his fellow defenders used mops, wooden sticks and fishing nets to fight back. Recounting the pivotal moment when they managed to subdue one of the terrorists, Chen expressed a mix of fear and determination. The assailant, devoid of expression with dull, lifeless eyes, was eventually apprehended by the police, he said.

Chen, who sustained minor injuries during the confrontation, emphasized the collective effort that thwarted the attackers, preventing more significant harm.

He expressed hope that such a tragedy would never recur, acknowledging the considerable improvements in security over the years due to enhanced counterterrorism efforts in Xinjiang.

"This is undoubtedly what everyone wants," he concluded, sharing a sentiment of resilience and collective determination to prevent future acts of terror.