YALA - A bomb targeting soldiers en route to Children’s Day activities at a school exploded on a road in Bannang Sata district on Friday morning, but they escaped unhurt.
The bomb went off on Road No 410 between Yala and Bannang Sata in tambon Tanorputae, said Pol Col Chartchai Chanasit, chief of Bannang Sata district chief. The attack was reported around 8am on Friday.
The bomb detonated as an armour reinforced pickup truck carrying seven soldiers from a special warfare unit approached, said police. The truck was just one metre away from the bomb when it went off. Only the front section of the vehicle was damaged. All the soldiers emerged unhurt.
The explosion left a crater about two metres wide and one metre deep. Metal shrapnel was left scattered over the area.
Bomb disposal officers said the bomb, packed in a cooking gas cylinder and weighing about 20-25kg, was triggered by a mobile phone signal.
The troops were on the way to Children’s Day activities at Ranor school, about 2 km from the attack scene. It was believed the bombers targeted them.