Two killed, three injured in Narathiwat drive-by shooting
A village headman and his assistant were killed and three others, including a paramilitary ranger volunteer, were injured in a drive-by shooting in Narathiwat’s Joh I Rong district on Monday night, police said yesterday.
The five victims had been digging a well to help villagers deal with the drought when suspected insurgents approached in a pick-up truck and opened fire at them with an M16 assault rifle, witnesses said.
Provincial governor Sitthichai Sakda joined police investigators yesterday as they inspected the scene at Ban Bango Dudung in Tambon Chuap.
The deceased were identified as village headman Anuwa Sulong, 49, and his assistant Abdulpata Munoh, 35. The wounded included paramilitary ranger volunteer Isha Yakoh, 28; and civilians Meulee Kreusong, 44, and Apinan Yusoh, 25.
Police, who chose to inspect the scene in the morning for safety reasons, collected 17 spent M16 cartridges as evidence. Police suspect that insurgents behind the attack are involved in the ongoing unrest in the region.
Meanwhile, National Security Council secretary-general General Thawip Netniyom said yesterday that the authorities were investigating 10 bomb attacks on Monday in Pattani province. He also said the peace dialogue with separatist groups was at a technical stage, as words in the initial agreement draft had to be adjusted and agreed upon before talks could begin.
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