At Kunming Railway Station in Yunnan Province, China, a coordinated attack unfolded when a group of masked assailants armed with knives launched a severe assault on unsuspecting travelers. The assailants struck in the middle of the evening around 9 PM, using large knives to create chaos and inflict harm on those waiting to board trains or arriving at the station. Eyewitness accounts described scenes of horror as people fled in panic while the attackers slashed indiscriminately, leading to devastating casualties. The aftermath revealed 35 people dead, many of whom were civilians, and leaving 143 others injured, some in critical condition.

The Chinese authorities responded quickly to this violent act. Initially, local law enforcement engaged with the assailants, resulting in several of them being killed, while others were captured. An investigation was launched, and the government determined that this attack was orchestrated by separatists from the Xinjiang region, highlighting rising tensions between the Central Chinese government and minority ethnic groups. The attack was condemned by both the national and international community, prompting further discussions about security measures in public spaces and the threat of terrorism on Chinese soil.

In the aftermath, there was a heightened security presence at transport hubs across the country, along with public calls for an increased crackdown on terrorism, contrasting with the previously calm perception of security in China. The incident raised awareness of extremist violence in an area that experienced relative peace, altering the discussion surrounding ethnic issues and human rights in the region, as well as the implications for civil liberties due to increased surveillance and security measures.