About 40 armed men in military-style uniforms yesterday raided a village defence volunteers' outpost in Pattani's Kapho district and stole five assault rifles.
The outpost, in front of Ban Bango school in tambon Karubi, was surrounded by the men about 5.30am.
The group tied the volunteers' hands and legs before making off with four AK-47s and one M16 along with five bullet-proof vests, a communication radio and a number of mobile phones belonging to the volunteers.
The armed men left without harming the volunteers.
Every security unit in the far South has been alerted to take extra precautions for possible attacks following the weapons robbery, security sources said.
According to the sources, insurgents are preparing to launch attacks against officers and weapons heists could intensify during this period.
Meanwhile, security units have been told to look out for a silver Toyota Vigo pickup, which was stolen from Pattani's Khok Pho district on Thursday. Officials believed the vehicle could be planted with bombs to target community areas.
The sources said the recent attacks on teachers may have been in response to the murders of an Islamic religious teacher and a local imam during the past two months.
Mahama Ma-air, a teacher at Yala's Thammawithaya Islamic School, was shot dead on Oct 30 in Pattani's Yarang district, while Abdullateh Todir, the chairman of the Muslim religious leaders of Yaha district and a member of the Yala Islamic Committee, was gunned down on Nov 14 in Yaha.
"The Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre has set up an investigation panel to look into the cases," a source said.
Navy chief Adm Surasak Rounroengrom yesterday insisted that security measures for teachers have been on the right track, but need some time to materialise.
The plan will remain unchanged as security forces have frequently contacted the Education Ministry and organisations concerned about the protective measures, he said.
Meanwhile, the Defence Ministry yesterday launched a campaign to send New Year postcards to soldiers in the far South.
According to permanent secretary for defence Gen Thanongsak Apirakyothin, 5 million postcards will go on sale for 10 baht apiece in order to offer New Year blessings and encouragement to security officers in the restive South.
Funds raised from postcard sales will sponsor medical supplies and support the wellbeing of the soldiers, Gen Thanongsak said.
The postcards will be available at more than 1,200 post offices and 7-Eleven convenience stores nationwide between Dec 13 and Jan 31.