One soldier killed, another injured in Yala bomb attack
A soldier was killed and another was severely injured when insurgents ambushed a teacher's protection unit and detonated a roadside bomb in Yala on Tuesday morning.
Police said the blast occurred in Kuwa village, Tambon Huaykrathing in Yala’s Krong Penang district at 6.40am.
Sgt Preecha Kongphakdee, 52, was struck by shrapnel on the head and body and pronounced dead at Yala Hospital at 9.10 am.
Pvt 1st Class Thongchai Boonchuay, 23, was hit by shrapnel in left eye and body, leaving him severely injured. Doctors said his condition is stable and he is now out of danger.
Police said insurgents planted a home-made bomb at a roadside garbage dump site and detonated it a when a unit of nine soldiers, led by Preecha, arrived at the scene. The troops were patrolling the road on foot to provide protection for teachers as they travelled to school in the morning.
Police said the area was the zone of insurgent leader Ismael Rayalong.
Bomb disposal officers said the bomb was apparently made of 5 kgs of explosives contained in a metal box. The bomb was detonated with a walkie-talkie radio.
A police source said about 100 walkie-talkie radio sets have recently been shipped by an insurgent supporter to three southern border provinces.
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