PATTANI : Two villagers were shot dead in insurgency-related shootings yesterday in Pattani's Nong Chik district.
Bicycles destroyed by a home-made bomb in Narathiwat’s Cho Airong district. Five rangers were wounded in the explosion. WAEDAO HARAI
The first shooting occurred about 10.45am in a crowded market at Ban Tha Kubo in tambon Pulo Puyo. Resident Thum Lekpetch, 50, died at the scene.
Witnesses told police the victim was shot in the back three times.
The market was packed with people at the time of the shooting.
The second shooting took place about 70 metres from the market. A gunman shot a villager travelling in the direction of the market on a motorcycle on Liab Chonprathan Road.
The second victim was identified as Klong Boonkan, 46. His body was found in a pool of blood next to his motorcycle. Police said the gunman shot him five times.
Police said they believed both attacks were connected to the southern insurgency.
In nearby Narathiwat province, five rangers were wounded in a bomb blast while on foot patrol near Ban Chuwa School in Narathiwat's Cho Airong district yesterday.
Police said a home-made bomb was detonated when a team of 12 rangers from Ranger Task Force 4810 was patrolling near the school in tambon Marubo Ok. About 10 bicycles parked near the school fence were damaged. Small pieces of metal from an explosive shell were found scattered in the area.
The explosion occurred about 10am and wounded five of the 12 rangers. They were admitted to Cho Airong Hospital.
The five wounded rangers are Sathien Kareeya, 31, Asha Jehbueraheng,24, Sulaiman Choborngor, 26, Muhammad Jehmahmeh, 25, and Muhammad Roya, 19.
Early yesterday, a combined force looked for weapons behind Kado village of tambon Rueso Ok in Rueso district of Narathiwat, after learning the Runda Kampulan Kecil separatist group was storing arms there. The force found two AK rifles and ammunition.