PATTANI, Aug 29 — Four security personnel were killed while nine others, including a three-year-old, were injured in an ambush in Yarang, Pattani, southern Thailand.
In the 10.50pm (local time) incident on Monday (August 28), a security team consisting of policemen and defence volunteers patrolled the Yarang Municipal Council’s office area when they were ambushed.
Yarang police chief Colonel Somprach Kankanon said a group of armed men hiding by the side of the road opened fire at the security team, who was travelling in a police pickup truck and a motorcycle.
“A homemade bomb was also detonated. This injured eight security personnel and they were rushed to Pattani Hospital for treatment. Two policemen and two volunteers who were critically injured died in the hospital.
“In addition, five civilians, including a three-year-old child, were injured in the exchange of gunfire and the explosion,” he told reporters at the incident scene today.
Somprach added the attackers also blew up several electricity poles nearby.
“The explosion was intended to delay the arrival of help and the hunt for the attackers,” he said.
Security forces found more than 100 bullet casings at the scene.
— Bernama
