The killing of 16 militants by marines in Narathiwat on Wednesday morning was no victory for the authorities, the commander who oversees marine operations in Bacho district says.
Somkiat: Troops did what was necessary
"There's nothing to claim victory for. We're all people of the same motherland," Capt Somkiat Polprayoon, commander of the South's marine special force, said yesterday.
"My message to the insurgents is that they should stop waging violence and fight for their cause through peaceful means," he said.
Capt Somkiat said the marines, attached to Narathiwat Task Force 32, shot and killed the 16 militants in self-defence and to protect their outpost. The 16 were among 50 militants dressed in military fatigues who attacked the marine base in Ban Yuelor in Bacho district.
The marines had to defend their base as it is a military establishment, Capt Somkiat said.
The marines did not suffer any losses in the fighting. "We did what was necessary. The militants were bent on using violence," Capt Somkiat said.
After the 16 militants were killed, the other 30 or so armed men who were among the attackers were thought to have escaped to other southern provinces. Some were injured.
The commander said the attack was repelled thanks to the marines and cooperation from locals.
Recent violence in the district had placed the marines on high alert. They became extra vigilant in guarding their installations and posts, especially in insurgent-prone villages, he said.
Personnel were rotated to provide constant surveillance around the bases.
Because the marines were fully alert, they were able to mount a successful counter-attack, he said.
Cooperation from residents was also vital to the operation, Capt Somkiat added.
In the last week, people in the area reported on insurgents' movements. Some details were very precise.
"People even told us how many militants had infiltrated the area and about the weapons they had with them," he said.
Their information was relayed to marine units, including several other units located near the Ban Yuelor base.