An Ustaz, an Islamic religious teacher, was shot dead in Pattani's Yarang district on Tuesday morning.
Police said the attacl occurred about 7.45am at a junction on Highway 401 (Yala-Pattani) leading to Ban Sarong in tambon Khao Tum.
Mahama Ma-ae, 47, a religious teacher at Thamwitthaya Moolanithi School in Muang district of Yala province, was leaving a village in tambon Khao Tum heading to his school in a pick-up truck when he was overtaken by another pick-up. One of the men sitting in the rear opened fire at his vehicle with an M16 rifle.
The M16 fire hit Mahama many times in his head and body, killing him on the spot. His vehicle, particularly the windshield, was riddled with bullet holes.
Police were investigating.
Photos by Abdulloh Benjakat