URUMQI, May 24 (Xinhua) -- A special police unit has been set up in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, to combat terrorism, local authorities said Monday.

The "Flying Tigers Squad," as it is called, comes under the Urumqi Municipal Public Security Bureau, said Wang Mingshan, director of the bureau.

"Their main task is to fight terrorism and handle such cases as hostage-taking and gun, explosive attacks," he said.

"The squad members are all experienced. We have equipped them with best vehicles and weapons," he added.

No further details were provided.