PATTANI: Two men suspected of involvement in a bomb blast at an ATM in Yarang district on May 20 were detained on Friday.
A combined team of police, soldiers and forensic officials searched two locations in tambon Khlong Mai of Yarang district and managed to arrest the two suspects.
In the first raid, Malawi Maming, 28, was apprehended at his house at Ban Chalong village. The officials later raided another house at Khok Yakha village in the same district and arrested Maruding Maming, 24.
The duo were held in military custody for interrogation.
Earlier this month, soldiers detained four men suspected of involvement in the fatal shooting of a highway police officer in Pattani on Jan 11, 2013.
The four suspects -- Romdon Maruesatae, 32; Burahan Bueraheng, 33; Nura-almadfaris Salae, 28; and Arhamadphikhi Jaema, 34 -- were arrested during a military raid on a house in Sai Buri district at around 4.30am on Aug 1.
A source said an intelligence gathering unit found that southern insurgents had planned to carry out bomb blasts in three districts -- Bannang Sata, Krong Pinang and Than Tho -- of Yala and Mayor district of Pattani. This prompted security officers to tighten security in those areas, strictly examining vehicles at road checkpoints and increasing patrols in the risk areas.