Whoever they are, wherever they are, and with whatever it takes, there has to be decisive moves to wipe out terrorist cells in the country.

The violent attacks by suspected terrorists in Kashgar, southern Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, on Tuesday, which left 15 community workers and police dead as well as six suspected terrorists, is another bloody reminder that terrorist threats remain a clear and present danger in the country's northwestern region.

The suspects, eight more of whom were captured, were armed and organized and planning violent attacks. Had they not been uncovered, it is hard to imagine what havoc they would have wreaked.