NARATHIWAT — A policeman was shot dead in a drive-by shooting by suspected insurgents in the southern province of Narathiwat Monday evening.
Pol Sen Sgt Maj Manop Chaichana, a squad leader at Si Sakhon police station, was found lying in a pool of blood next to his motorcycle on a local road in Nang Loh village in tambon Tamayoong of Si Sakhon district.
The 48-year-old officer was riding home about 5pm when he was followed by two men on a motorcycle. The pillion gunman opened fire with a 9mm pistol, hitting him five times in the abdomen.
The badly wounded Pol Sen Sgt Maj Manop fell off his bike but managed to fire one shot back. He was admitted to Rueso Hospital and later pronounced dead.
Si Sakhon police investigator Pol Lt Gen Chamnian Sangkham said the bullet fired at the gunman hit and injured him but did not elaborate.
Pol Sen Sgt Maj Manop was killed after leading five other policemen to escort teachers from a local school to their homes, said Pol Lt Gen Chamnian.
