NARATHIWAT: Two patrolling police officers were attacked by four men riding on two motorcycles, but emerged from the fusillade of bullets unscathed, in Sungai Padi district on Wednesday night.
The shooting occurred outside Pracharat Samakkhi police outpost at Paluroo village in tambon Sungai Padi about 8pm.
Pol Sgt Saharat Taiki and Pol Cpl Ekkaphan Kwannimit were returning to the outpost from their night patrol to Paluroo village. Four men on two motorcycles travelling along the road suddenly slowed down near the outpost and the two pillion riders opened fire at them.
The assailants missed their targets, who fell from their motorcycle as it toppled to the ground.
They used the fallen motorbike as a shelter to fire back at their attackers, who sped away into the roadside rubber plantation. They also were, apparently, unhurt.
Pol Col Pakdi Preechachon, chief of Sungai Padi police station, led a team to inspect the scene on Thursday morning, fearful of an ambush if they immediately went at night.
They found four spent 9mm cartridges in front of the outpost and several spent M16 rifle cartridges about 200 metres away.
Authorities blamed insurgents.