Leading insurgent shot dead in shootout

Leading insurgent shot dead in shootout

PATTANI: A top member of the Runda Kumpulan Kecil (RKK) insurgency group has been shot dead during a standoff with the military in this southernmost border province.

The death of Sobueri Jehe, 36, was confirmed Wednesday by Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) deputy spokesman, Col Thanavee Suvannarat, at a press briefing.

Col Thanavee said eight police officers were conducting a routine patrol in two pickup trucks in tambon Khao Toom of Yarang district in Pattani when three men having a conversation at the side of the road aroused their suspicion on Tuesday.

He said one police officer approached the men and asked to check their identities. Two of them opened fire and ran off into a rubber plantation while the other fled on a motorbike.

The police patrol went in pursuit of the two who opened fire that led to a gun battle which ended with three police officers injured and both suspects dead. Two .9 mm pistols and an M-67 grenade were found near the bodies, Col Thanavee said.

He said one of the dead men was later identified as Sobueri, a leading figure in the RKK group, and who was wanted by Thai authorities.

The other dead suspect, Yusoh Jehlong, 32, had three arrest warrants out against him, Col Thanavee said.

"Based on their records, it is clear that they have caused continuous trouble that has resulted in the loss of life of both state officials and civilians," the colonel said.

According to him, the Provincial Court of Pattani had approved 18 separate arrests warrants for Sobueri, who had been detained four times previously for violence in the province. He did not say why Sobueri had been freed each time.

Footage from CCTV cameras had earlier proved that Sobueri was behind the gruesome murder of Sunisa Boonyen, a teacher who was shot dead in her car on Oct 28, 2016. The attack also injured her friend Chadaporn Srileng he said.

Fourth Army Region Commander Lt Gen Piyawat Nakwanich, later offered condolences to the two dead men's family, saying the police responded appropriately after being fired upon first.

"We will continue to stand as the upholders of the law and offer fair treatment to all," Lt Gen Piyawat said.

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