The terrorist group was involved in the violent attacks targeting border police in China`s westernmost city of Kashgar in Xinjiang and engineered explosions in Kuqa County of Xinjiang in 2008, ministry spokesman Wu Heping told a press conference.

Chinese police caught more than ten members of the terrorist group, including two ringleaders, Wu said.

The two ringleaders, both natives of Xinjiang, were identified as Abdurixit Ablet, 42, and Imin Semai`er, 33.

Police investigations showed Abdurixit Ablet was sent by "East Turkistan" separatists from abroad and Imin Semai`er was a backbone member of the group.

The two men and their aides confessed to police that they had prepared knives, axes and self-made explosives, and planned to launch a series of terrorist attacks in Xinjiang`s Kashgar, Hotan and Aksu from July to October 2009, according to Wu.

After their plans were foiled by the police, they fled to China`s southern provinces of Guangdong and Yunnan and contacted leaders of the terrorist group East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM) by email, Wu said.

They asked for road maps from the ETIM as they attempted to cross the border, Wu said.

Police investigations indicated that overseas-based "East Turkistan" forces had provided financial aid and sent people to help the two men flee.