China Deploys More Police Dogs to Beef up Anti-Terror Drive

More police dogs are being deployed in the Chinese capital to tighten anti-terrorism campaign in the face of attacks by Islamic militants from restive Xinjiang province.

Police are told to bring large-breed dogs, such as German Shepherds, during their routine patrols in densely populated areas such as urban centers and transport hubs, the Beijing municipal public security office said.

Beijing police have now trained more than 650 dogs.

Dogs have joined police patrols in key areas of downtown Beijing, such as Tian'anmen Square, train stations, open markets and pedestrian streets, since the beginning of this year.

"We plan to expand their work to the peripheral areas of Beijing, especially around the train and bus stations," state-run Xinhua news agency quoted an official as saying.

The dogs are also expected to help police deal with terrorist attacks and keep order in large-scale gatherings.

Following fatal terrorist attacks in recent months, China has deployed more armed patrols and reinforced public security to prevent and crackdown on criminal activities as part of its year long anti-terrorism drive in Xinjiang and rest of the country.

China blames East Turkistan Islamic Movement for the violence in Xinjiang where the native Uygur Muslims are restive over the increasing settlements of Hans from other parts of China.