Security units in all 13 districts of Narathiwat province have been put on high alert for possible attacks on the 11th anniversary of the attack by separatist insurgents on the 4th Development Battalion at the Kromluang Narathiwat Ratchanakarin military camp in Cho Airong district on Jan 4, 2004.
Military, police and civilian forces have set up security checkpoints on main and secondary roads to search people and vehicles for armed militants to prevent possible attacks on Sunday.
Eleven years ago, a number of insurgents launched a surprise attack on the headquarters of the 4th Development Battalion in Narathiwat's Cho Airong district.
Four soldiers were killed in the attack. They were Chief Warrant Officer Sanoh Insamphal, CWO Chamlaeng Poonsawat, CWO Prapan Terngpeng and CWO Surin Kanchana.
The insurgents also stole 413 firearms from the battalion's arsenal.
The weapons have been since been used by militants in some of 16,969 violent incidents, which include 8,027 armed attacks on government forces and positions, 3,022 bombings, 1,647 arsons, 258 clashes, 339 attacks on individuals, 172 gun robberies, 102 murders, 65 protests, 3,315 harassments and 22 other incidents.
Of the 413 stolen guns, government forces have been able to retrieve 104 of them. They include 90 M16 rifles, eight 11mm pistols, three SKS rifles, two AK47 rifles, and one shotgun.
Following the Jan 4, 2004 attack, warrants were issued for the arrest of 11 suspects. Only two — Masuki Seng and Sa-i-sun Abdul Roha — have been arrested.