Troops hunt down camp, kill insurgent

Troops hunt down camp, kill insurgent

NARATHIWAT — Army troops clashed with a group of well-armed insurgents believed planning to sabotage the New Year holiday at the foot of Mohtae mountain in Rangae district on Wednesday morning, and killed one of them.

The 24-strong force of rangers and special forces soldiers were tracking Runda Kumpulan Kecil (RKK) militants on the mountain slopes behind Gujing Luepa School in tambon Chalerm when they found their camp.

The New Year's eve clash occurred after a tip off that a group of RKK militants had set up a temporary base on the mountain and were preparing to launch attacks during the New Year period. 

As the soldiers approached they were seen by an insurgent lookout on higher ground, who alerted the camp. The two sides exchanged gunfire for about 20 minutes before the militants fled into the bush.

The troops searched the camp and found the body of a man identified later as Ardua Nanmasae, who was wanted for the firearms robbery at a military camp in Rangae district on Jan 19, 2011, along with an M-16 rifle and ammunition stolen at the same time. He had died of multiple bullet wounds.

The security force also seized two grenades and an 11mm pistol from the camp, which comprised nine makeshift shelters containing food, field equipment, clothes and medicine. 

Forensic investigators were examining the scene for further evidence, including fingerprints. 

Col Rungroj Anantatho, commander of the 45th Ranger Regiment, said the fleeing insurgents were being pursued. He believed they might have left the mountain to hide in sympathisers' houses in the village close to the border at Ban Gujing Luepa. 


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