Two rangers killed from ambush, guns stolen

Two rangers killed from ambush, guns stolen

Bomb disposal officers inspect the scene of the bomb blast and shooting in Yala's Krong Pinang in which two ranger volunteers were killed on Tuesday afternoon. (Photo by Maluding Deeto)
Bomb disposal officers inspect the scene of the bomb blast and shooting in Yala's Krong Pinang in which two ranger volunteers were killed on Tuesday afternoon. (Photo by Maluding Deeto)

YALA/NARATHIWAT- Two ranger volunteers were killed and their weapons stolen when their patrol was bombed and ambushed by gunmen in Yala on Tuesday.

An attack in Narathiwat was unsuccessful, with the two targeted soldiers surviving a roadside bomb blast unscathed.

In Yala's Krong Pinang district, the bomb went off as two ranger volunteers patrolling on a motorcycle approached Khuan Na-nga village in tambon Huay Krathing about 1.20pm. 

Gunmen then emerged from the roadside rubber trees and opened fire, killing them. The attackers took two HK 33 assault rifles from the dead rangers before fleeing, Krong Pinang police said.

A bomb disposal squad and police sent to the scene found the two rangers dead on the road with bullet shots to their heads. Their toppled motorcycle was still on the road. 

Bomb fragments, wiring and explosive residue were scattered over the area. A long wire was found running deeper into the plantation. There was a crater caused by the blast near a power pole.

Police believed the attackers were members of an insurgent group active in the area led by Hubaideela Rommuedee and Arhamad Luebaesa. (continues below)

A slain soldier's boot lies on the road near his motorcycle at the scene of the attack in Yala's Krong Pinang district. (Photo by Maduling Deeto)

In Narathiwat, two soldiers escaped injury when a roadside bomb exploded in Si Sakhon district on Tuesday afternoon.

The bomb, stuffed in a 20kg cooking gas cylinder, went off as a patrol pickup truck drove past, said Pol Capt Sathit Kasetkala, deputy chief investigator at Si Sakhon police station. It was reported about 2.30pm.

The explosion damaged the pickup, which plunged off the road into a tree. Bits of metal and explosive materials were found scattered over the road.

The two occupants, Lt Udom Prommas, deputy commander of a ranger unit, and his driver were unhurt.

Police at the scene of the failed attack in Narathiwat. (Photo by Waedao Harai)

The pickup truck carrying two lucky soldiers, damaged by the bomb blast in Narathiwat's Si Sakhon district on Tuesday afternoon. (Photo by Waedao Harai)

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