Rangers kill rebel suspect in firefight

Rangers kill rebel suspect in firefight

Narathiwat: One suspected insurgent was killed and two others arrested during a clash with a ranger patrol in Bacho district yesterday morning, police said.

Rangers from a marine task force laid siege to a house at Moo 9 village, in tambon Bacho, about 5am, following a tip-off that four members of a southern insurgent group were hiding there.

Shortly afterwards, the four rebels opened fire in an effort to clear the way for their escape from the back of the house, according to police. A firefight followed, lasting about 10 minutes.

After the shooting stopped, the rangers cleared the area and found a dead man behind the house. He was identified as Suraidin Katae, alias Madong, who was wanted under a warrant in a security-related case.

Two other members of the group, brothers Ku-afnan Kupama and Ku-amran Kupama, were arrested in possession of an 11mm pistol and an AK102 rifle. Police ran a check and found they had no criminal record.

The fourth insurgent, identified as Sufian Yoso, managed to escape.

One ranger was wounded. Kampol Kaewchamras, 28, was shot in the left wrist. He was admitted to Bacho Hospital.

According to police investigators, Suraidin also faced two arrest warrants in connection with two criminal cases, one of which involved the killing of a mother and daughter in Bacho district on Aug 11, 2018.

The AK-102 rifle near Suraidin's body was found to be linked to two armed attacks -- one targeting police at a checkpoint behind Nacho Police Station on Feb 15 and another close to the Batu checkpoint in tambon Ton Sai on April 8, 2018.

Also at the house where Suraidin's body was found, police retrieved a pistol stolen from a defence volunteer, Muhammadsabri Saleh, who was killed in the district on March 10.

Police have stepped up security at all checkpoints in Bacho district as Mr Sufian, who is on the run, might be planning attacks. All vehicles will be inspected.

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