A militant and a ranger were killed, and another ranger critically wounded, in a clash in Narathiwat’s Cho Airong district early Thursday morning, reports said.
About 1am, Col Issara Chanthakrayom, deputy commander of Ranger Company 48 in Narathiwat, led 40 paramilitary rangers to raid house no 274/7 at Ban Aipayee, tambon Chuab of Cho Airong after receiving a tip that suspected militants were hiding there.
On seeing the rangers, armed men in the house opened fire on them. The two sides exchanged gunfire for about 10 minutes, after which the militants retreated, leaving behind one body.
The body was identified as that of Maeso Jehloh, 42, a member of Runda Kumpulan Kecil (RKK). Rangers also found an AK47 assault rifle beside his body.
Ranger Yothin Promchuay, 23, was also killed in the clash and Pvt 1st class Sinchai Sukmee seriously wounded. He was taken to Cho Airong hospital and later transferred to Narathiwat Ratchanakarin hospital.
Rangers also found two men suspected to be supporters of the militants while clearing the nearby area, Daoh Salae, 50, and Yakee Wohngoy, 31, both residents of the village, were taken to the ranger’s base in Cho Airong for questioning.
A ranger team was sent out to track down the two armed men who escaped from the house.