URUMQI - Six people were shot dead by police and six others died in explosions in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, local authorities said Saturday.

Photos of anti-terrorism drill in Xinjiang

Police opened fire to fight back attacks by a group of terrorist suspects when they were making arrests following two other explosions on Friday in the county seat of Xinhe in Aksu prefecture, said the region's publicity department.

Six suspects were gunned down and six others died in explosions they set off by themselves, said the department.

Police have also arrested five people. One policeman was slightly injured and no bystander casualties were reported during the arrest actions.

Police also seized some explosive devices and other devices used to commit criminal acts.

The two explosions happened at about 6:40 p.m. Friday, when one person was killed and two others were injured.

Shortly after the explosions, police arrested three suspects and later a suspect vehicle exploded while besieged by police. Two people inside were killed.

Further investigation into the explosions is under way.