The communist-run Tianshan news portal said explosions happened at three places, including a shop, in Luntai county. It lies in a desert area 360 kilometers (220 miles) southwest of the western region's capital of Urumqi.

"Public security officers quickly handled the situation," the portal said, adding that an unspecified number of injured had been taken to hospital.

"Local social order is normal, and the cases are being investigated," Tianshan said.

Officials punished for 'failures'

On Sunday, state media said the Communist Party officials in Xinjiang had demoted or dismissed 17 officials and police officers for alleged failures relating to two incidents in July.

Tight security makes it difficult for foreign journalists to visit the region.

Exiled Uighur groups say the government's repressive policies in Xinjiang, including curbs on Islam, have provoked unrest, a claim denied by Beijing.

Violent incidents

On July 28, the government said 37 civilians were killed and 59 alleged "terrorists" were shot dead by security forces in two towns in Xinjiang's far south.

On June 30, three assailants armed with knives and axes killed Juma Tayir, the imam of Xinjiang's biggest mosque in the old Silk Road city of Kashgar.

ipj/lw (Reuters, AFP, AP)