One military ranger was killed yesterday in a roadside bomb attack in Yala's Yaha district while at least eight security officers were wounded in several bombs and gunfire attacks in the deep South.
Security personnel look for evidence after two policemen on a motorcycle were injured in a bomb blast in tambon Lammai in Yala’s Muang district yesterday. MUHAMMAD AYUB PATHAN
Cpl Paradon Pechjutha, 36, sustained severe injuries as a result of the attack that occurred while he was patrolling along a road in Ban Pajo yesterday afternoon. He died later in a hospital.
In another attack, Pvt Surapol Daensongklod, Pvt Wichian Boonjoeng, and Pvt Thosaporn Boonmakiang were injured in an ambush that erupted on an isolated road in Ban Kasang Nai in Bannang Sata district.
Pvt Surapol was shot in both hips, Pvt Wichian in his torso and finger, and Pvt Thosaporn in one of his shoulders. They were rushed to a nearby hospital after the attack.
In other incidents, at least three bomb blasts, including one in a school compound, injured five security officers who were escorting teachers in Yala and Pattani yesterday.
In Yala's Bannang Sata district, a bomb went off at Ban Taopun Moo 3 School in the late morning, wounding Phithak Phrommet, a Bannang Sata defence volunteer.
The explosive, believed to be a 3-kilogramme improvised bomb, was hidden under a table near a bench behind a sign bearing the school's name, according to an initial investigation.
Also in Yala, another bomb went off in Muang district, severely injuring two policemen. Sgt Alongkon Insikrai and Cpl Sarawut Chaiprasoet were wounded in the blast while riding a motorcycle back from their mission to provide security to teachers at Ban Thung Kha School.
The third bomb went off as Sgt Wathit Watthanaphan and Pvt Ronnarong Churangkun were driving a motorcycle on Highway No.42 linking Pattani and Narathiwat. They were taken to a local hospital.
In Yala's Bannang Sata district yesterday, a village security guard was critically injured in an ambush.