Police officer killed, five injured in Narathiwat bomb and gun attack
One officer was killed and the rest injured as six policemen were attacked by an exploding bomb and a line of gunfire on a public road in Narathiwat late on Monday night.
Photo credit: Rungrot Kongpiban
“The bomb exploded first and then gunmen started firing at the police vehicle,” Palusamoh Police Station’s deputy inspector Pol Captain Asdej Dindaeng said on Tuesday morning.
He said the attack took place on the inbound lane of Phetkasem Road in Bacho district just opposite the police station.
The initial investigation suggested that between 20 and 25 kilos of explosives and M16 machine guns were used in the attack. The investigation continues.
Photo credit: Rungrot Kongpiban
Pol Sergeant Yuttapong Nuikaew, 32, sustained fatal injuries from the attack and succumbed at 2am on Tuesday. Five other policemen, including Pol Lieutenant Kudeh Prakorbkardee, had minor injuries and have been released from hospital.
The bathing rite ceremony for Yuttapong is being held at Bang Nara Temple in Narathiwat.
Captain Nirat Takudruea, the chief of a marine taskforce based in Narathiwat, said the attack might have been carried out by a group affiliated with Marosoh Chantarawadee, who was killed alongside 15 other armed insurgents during a raid on a military base in 2013.