Three civil servants killed in Pattani

A GROUP of armed assailants opened fire at and detonated a home-made bomb inside Khok Pho district’s Tambon Tha Makrud Municipality Office yesterday morning, resulting in the death of three officials. 

Another bomb at the office entrance exploded as police and rescue workers rushed in, resulting in the death of a passer-by and four municipal personnel and two rescue workers suffering injuries.

The victims inside the office, found with gunshot and shrapnel wounds to the head and torso, were identified as municipal permanent secretary Prasit Sindhu-uthai, 46; public works division chief Jamnong Nosith, 41; and inventory administration official Jeerawat Siripanboon, 44. 

The second bomb killed villager Sanong Khongmuenphetch, 52, who was riding past on a motorcycle. Also injured in this explosion were municipal official Jariya Sakhon, 38; municipal mechanic Tharin Chumpong, 39; municipal official Wimonsri Chanphetch, 29; municipal worker Suwit Nuansri, 39; and rescue workers Isma-ae Malileh, 42; and Suchat Choy-onkaew, 34.

Pol Lt-Colonel Pathompong Phetcharoon of Khok Pho Police Station said initial investigation found that the three officials were working when an unknown group of assailants in a pickup truck and on motorcycles showed up at the office and opened fire. Though most other officials managed to flee via the back door, the three victims were left behind writhing with gunshot wounds. 

The assailants then placed a home-made bomb in a metal box under a desk and another bomb at the entrance before fleeing the scene. 

The bomb inside the office exploded and instantly killed the three injured officials, while the bomb at the entrance went off when police and rescue workers arrived at the scene.

Police believe this attack was part of the ongoing unrest in the deep South. 

Two days ago, suspected insurgents set fire to two security cameras installed outside the municipal office. 

In a simultaneous attack yesterday, a group of armed men opened fire at the Tambon Wat Administrative Organisation Office in Pattani’s Yarang district, but officials managed to flee unharmed, while another unknown group sprayed the fence of Tambon Ratapanyang Administrative Organisation Office in Yaring district with M16 bullets.