PATTANI: A village defence volunteer and a woman were shot dead, and another woman wounded, by gunmen at a market in Muang district on Thursday night.
The shooting occurred in full view of market-goers and vendors at Ban Krue Sae community market on Pattani-Narathiwat Road in tambon Tanyong Lulor around 7pm, said Pol Col Keerati Yusor, superintendent of Muang police station.
A man identified later as Aryi Mudor, 55, village defence volunteer, was shot dead at a stall where he was helping his wife sell women’s accessories
Two women, bystanders, were also hit by bullets and rushed to Pattana Hospital, where one of them was pronounced dead. She was identified as Armeenor Sama.
Police investigators said some men posing as customers arrived at the stall, joining other people who were selecting items to buy. Without warning, they opened fire at Aryi. The village defence volunteer was hit in the head twice, while stray bullets also hit the two women.
One of the killers took the victim’s pistol before fleeing.
Police were investigating whether the attack was related to the insurgency or not.
Aryi had served as a village defence volunteer for many years and spent his free time helping his wife sell goods at the market. He had no conflict with anyone.