Five military rangers were killed and another wounded in a bomb attack in Pattani's Sai Buri district yesterday as Buddhists marked Visakha Bucha Day.
A patrol pickup truck is flipped over by a bomb blast in Pattani’s Sai Buri district which killed five military rangers, including the unit leader, and injured a sixth. PAREZ LOHASANT
The incident prompted security boosts across the southern border provinces to ensure safety - particularly for Buddhists who were performing activities on one of the holiest days on the Buddhist calender.
The explosion took place at about 11.20am when a six-man unit from the 4,202nd Ranger Company was travelling in a patrol pickup truck on a local road in tambon Ban Buereh.
The blast took place about 200 metres from the tambon Ban Buereh administrative organisation office.
Four rangers were killed on the spot. They were identified as Sgt Maj 1st Class Chaiyapol Muangkaew, Sgt Mongkol Polpakdee, and volunteer rangers Anucha Wongsawat and Pichet Sathong-aen.
Unit leader Capt Subin Puangmanee and volunteer ranger Ronnachit Chaowong were seriously injured in the blast. Capt Subin died later at Pattani Hospital.
The explosion threw the truck 50m and it came to rest on its roof.
Pattani police chief Pol Maj Gen Ekkapop Prasitwattanachai led a team of investigators to the blast site.
Forensic investigators found the remains of a fire extinguisher cylinder and metal fragments at the location.
They estimated the bomb weighed about 30 kilogrammes.
The explosive was planted underneath the road and detonated as the vehicle passed over it.
Deputy army spokesman Col Winthai Suwaree condemned the attack. He said the bomb targeted officials who were providing security to people making merit to honour the religious holiday.
Army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha has ordered heightened security for "weak targets", or those who do not carry weapons to fight insurgents.
Meanwhile, across the far South, senior authorities yesterday joined religious ceremonies to mark Visakha Bucha Day amid tightened security.
In Pattani's Yarang district, a combined task force sealed off a village in Ban Jarohbo-ngor in tambon Khao Toon.
Security officials seized a machine gun and detained a number of people for questioning.
In Narathiwat's Rueso district, a 50-strong unit yesterday detained two suspected militants in a pre-dawn raid.
The operation followed tips that a leading member of Runda Kumpulan Kecil (RKK) separatist group was hiding in a house in Moo 7 village in tambon Batong.
Police and troops sealed off the house and arrested two men identified as Rorning Rorhing, 30, and Abdulkoder Woma, 37.
However, Abdulrohing Dahiso, who is believed to be a leading member of the RKK, escaped the raid. Three motorcycles were seized.
Security authorities said Mr Rorning is wanted on six arrest warrants, five in security-related cases and one for violation of the emergency decree.
One of the warrants issued by the Narathiwat provincial court names him as a suspect in an attack on the office of tambon Samakkhi administration organisation on Feb 16, 2006.
The attack killed Pol Snr Sgt Maj Samart Intamano, a leader of a team of police providing security for teachers.
Mr Rorning is also wanted for an attack on Feb 16, 2010 in which two soldiers of Narathiwat Taskforce 30 were killed.