NARATHIWAT: Security was tight at the army's Ratchanakharin camp, known as Pileng camp, on Monday, the anniversary of the unprecedented attack by Muslim insurgents on Jan 4, 2004, which marked the resurgence of the separatist movement in the far South.
Maj Gen Paisal Noosang, commander of the 15th Infantry Division, made an aerial inspection of the camp, in tambon Marubo Ok of Cho Airong district, by helicopter on Monday morning.
All units in the area were put on high alert and security patrols increased as a precaution against militant action on the 17th anniversary of the ongoing uprising.
Maj Gen Paisal landed at an outpost of Ranger Company 4813, where he stressed the need for all units to share intelligence reports on the movement of insurgent groups and maintain effective communications.
On Jan 4, 2004 an estimated 150 armed men launched a surprise attack on Pileng camp, where the 4th development battalion was based.
Four soldiers were killed in the attack. A total of 413 weapons were stolen from the camp arsenal - 380 M-16 rifles, seven rocket-propelled grenade launchers, two M-60 machine guns, 24 pistols of 11mm calibre and 200 rounds of ammunition.
During the Jan 4 raid, there were fewer than 30 of the 400 soldiers in the camp. Most had taken leave for the New Year.