The hunt for those behind the brutal slaying of all those on board a bus traveling between China and Kyrgyzstan has made a breakthrough, reports suggest.

The Chinese Embassy in Bishkek confirmed that two suspects, wanted by local police for the March attack, have been identified as members of the outlawed East Turkistan Islamic Movement.

A murder hunt was launched after a burnt out Chinese-owned bus was found in southeastern Kyrgyzstan this March.

The 19 Chinese victims, who were doing business across the border were en route to Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from Bishkek.

A spokesman from the Chinese Foreign Ministry yesterday said the separatist East Turkistan Islamic Movement has long been involved in terrorist activities which have severely threatened security and stability in the region.

He expressed the Chinese government's appreciation for the efforts made by Kyrgyzstan in the investigation, adding the Chinese side is willing to cooperate with Kyrgyzstan authorities to bring a speedy conclusion to the investigation and those responsible to justice.

(China Daily July 12, 2003)