Seven army rangers wounded in Pattani bombing
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Seven rangers were wounded, two of them critically, when a motorcycle bomb exploded in Sai Buri district yesterday.
The seven men from the 42nd Ranger Regiment were patrolling on Panare-Sai Buri Rd at around 10.30am.
The body and neck of Surat Kongkaew, 26, were pierced by shrapnel, while Kamron Pakddee was hit in the back. Both were receiving treatment at Pattani Hospital.
The five other victims suffered minor injuries.
The rangers’ pickup truck was severely damaged. All glass parts were shattered, all tyres flattened and the body riddled with holes.
According to police’s preliminary investigation, the attackers must have seen the rangers’ vehicle approaching and triggered the device planted inside the motorbike parked beside the road. Security officials believe the ambush was meant to fan unrest in the deep South.
In another incident, Roseh Mareusoh, 63, was shot dead while walking back from a mosque.
Just about 100 metres before reaching his home, Roseh was sprayed with fire by an unidentified man.
Police believe the attack was related to insurgent activity that has plagued the southernmost provinces for about one decade in its latest incarnation.
Another fatal shooting was reported, but police have not ruled out a personal conflict as the motive.
The wife of Mada-o Matae, 38, said they were at home when a friend knocked on their door early in the morning. When Mada-o went outside, a conversation started but it ended with gunfire.
Mada-o was shot five times and died on the spot.
