Killing of rebels defended

The truck’s tyre exploded, so the suspects had to stop four kilometres from the checkpoint. When the rangers approached the suspects to search them, they opened fire and one ranger was hit in the hand, he said. During the gunfight two suspects were killed and three others fled the scene. The rangers found some evidence in the truck, including 911 bullets for an M16 rifle, 44 bullets for a pistol, a holster, camping gear and medical supplies. 

Traces were found of the nitroamine RDX (research department explosive) in the cabin. 

One of the killed suspects was wanted for the May 2, 2006, shooting of a Buddhist villager. 

Army chief Worapong Sa-nganet visited Sirindhorn camp in Pattani’s Yarang district to cheer up troops and follow up on the operation. |The visit was the force’s tradition to express New Year wishes and boost the spirits of the soldiers, he said.

Panithan Watanayakorn, adviser to the Deputy Prime Minister, said he believed that there were ongoing unofficial exchanges with various groups to bring peace to the deep South and that officers heard several groups’ demands and concerns. The National Security Council and General Aksara Kerdpol, Thailand’s chief negotiator for peace talks, could provide better information, he said. 

Some independent groups feared for their safety and criminal punishment if they turned themselves in, but Aksara as the team leader was well received because he was viewed as an objective person, he said. 

Now 11 years have passed and violence in the region was 35 per cent lower, although officers had to conduct more community work in some subdistricts and villages because many village defence volunteer units were still rather weak, he said.