A leading member of a Runda Kumpalan Kecil (RKK) separatist cell was killed in a clash with government forces late on Saturday night in Narathiwat's Rangae district.
Masa-e Hajidiyoliya
The clash occurred at about 11.30pm after three teams of the 48th Rangers Regiment laid siege to a house at Ban Kutong in tambon Bongo where RKK insurgents led by Masa-e Hajidiyoliya, 30, were reported to be hiding. An exchange of fire went on for about 10 minutes.
Another exchange of fire resumed when the rangers were reinforced by a police special operations team.
The three insurgents tried to break through the siege. Masa-e was shot about 20 metres from the house while the two others managed to escape into the dark.
The authorities recovered an ID card of Hasman Samamaeng, 36, at the scene.
The body of Masa-e was riddled with bullets. An 11mm pistol with 50 rounds of ammunition was found by his side.
The government force seized four motorcycles from the house.
Masa-e was wanted on six arrest warrants for six security-related incidents - one in 2007, two in 2008 and three in 2009.