Almost 80 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras were set ablaze in seven districts of Yala Monday.
A fire-damaged surveillance camera on the Thasab-Lammai Road in Muang district of violence-plagued Yala province. Arsonists torched almost 80 cameras in seven districts of the province yesterday. MUHAMMAD AYUB PATHAN
Authorities fear the attacks are a precursor to violence, as insurgents attempt to stop security authorities from detecting their movements.
Twenty-one CCTV cameras were torched in Bannang Sata district alone, followed by 20 in Raman and 14 in Krong Pinang. The other 24 were set alight in Muang, Yaha, Kabang and Than To.
The perpetrators also razed a mobile phone tower and a telephone booth in Bannang Sata. All the attacks took place between 3am and 5am.
Pol Maj Gen Peera Boonleang, chief of Yala police, said attacks took place all over the province, and should be seen as preparation for a future campaign.
He said some arsonists were captured on CCTV camera footage in Krong Pinang. They used motorcycle tyres stuffed with sacks and petrol to burn the cameras. Provincial police stations have been told to set up checkpoints to look for a golden Toyota Vigo pickup truck believed to have been involved in the arsons, Pol Maj Gen Peera said.
Five men riding on the pickup were seen travelling around the areas that were attacked, he said.
"I have ordered officials to step up security in every area.
"A night patrol is needed and we will search for the vehicle," Pol Maj Gen Peera said.
Meanwhile, a 30-member security force Monday raided a house in tambon Bulor Buesa of Narathiwat's Yi-ngo district.
The officers arrested Kariya Pi, 35, one of five men suspected of using an explosive-rigged motorcycle to bomb a karaoke bar in Muang district last Wednesday.
Four people were wounded in the blast.
Police said Mr Kariya told them his role was to locate the target to be bombed.
Officials said Mr Kariya worked with four other men, two of whom have been identified as Asem Bueraheng and Maromueree Kachae-kasor.
The other two have also been identified by authorities but their names have been withheld.
Authorities believe all of them could still be hiding in tambon Bare Tai of Narathiwat's Bacho district.