South violence plummets in 4Q
published : 8 Jan 2015 at 14:56
writer: Online Reporters
Both violent insurgency-related incidents and deaths plummeted in the last quarter of 2014, with both falling about 50% or more year-on-year.
Both violent insurgency-related incidents -- such as this car bomb in Pattani -- and deaths plummeted in the last quarter of 2014, with both falling about 50% or more year-on-year. (Bangkok Post photo)
Col Pramote Prom-in, spokesman for Internal Security Operations Command Region 4 in Pattani's Yarang district, said there were 185 incidents with 83 fatalities and 97 injuries in the Far South between October and December.
That marks a 56.6% drop in incidents from the 241 reported in the final quarter of 2013, and a 49.4% drop from the 218 reported casualties.
Of the 185 incidents, 74 occurred in Narathiwat, 62 in Pattani, 32 in Yala, and 17 in four districts of Songkhla.
Four insurgents were killed in actions taken by government forces. Warrants were issued for the arrest of 77 suspected militants.
Government forces captured 15 weapons - eight rifles and seven handguns - ran over three insurgent bivouacs and seized some bomb-making materials, medicine, medical equipment and survival kits, authorities said.
