Five soldiers killed and six civilians injured as Islamic terrorists hit checkpoint in Thailand
Five soldiers were killed and six civilians injured as Islamic terrorists attacked a checkpoint in Thailand.
The troops were manning the Bukeh Sami municipal checkpoint in Narathiwat when a black Nissan pickup truck carrying six black-clad people pulled over and opened fire at close range.
CCTV footage shows the heavily armed suspects unleashing a storm of bullets at the rangers, sending smoke across the street at around 6:45 pm local time on July 22.
Officers tried to retaliate but were seen collapsing to the ground one by one.
Video from another angle showed two more motorcycle-riding suspects firing at homes as their companions hurled pipe bombs in the area.
Authorities said the attack killed Sergeant Major First Class Theerayut Somakerd, 43, and four ranger volunteers Sakiriya Jena, 23, Wimon Dabthong, 43, Nattasit Kaewsena, 34, and Salahuding Pi, 34.
Six civilians, including minors and pensioenrs, were injured. They were identified as Habib Hina, 10, Muhammad Ali Abrue, 67, Farhah Abrue, 67, Muhammad Hafit Hina, 15, Awatif Bueraheng, 3, and Masaifu Daoh, 21.
Most suffered minor injuries and have since been discharged from the hospital, apart from Habib who is being treated for two lacerations to his leg.
Colonel Ekwarit Chobchupol, deputy spokesman for the Region 4 forward command, described the attack as 'cruel and inhumane' as it happened in a community area where innocent people were hurt.
The armed Muslim separatists reportedly fled on Highway 4055 towards tambon Dusongyo as police sealed off possible escape routes.
The scene has been cordoned off for inspection as provincial governor Boonchuay Homyamyen ordered tighter security at checkpoints.
The pickup truck was later found burnt in Si Sakhon district, in an apparent attempt to destroy evidence. The shooting followed a car bomb explosion at the Khao Tan Yong police station in the province on Tuesday night.
Authorities said no one was injured, but the blast destroyed the car as police sealed off the area and bomb disposal officers searched for additional explosives.
Islamic separatist terror attacks target the three southernmost provinces of Thailand - Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat - next to the border with Muslim neighbours Malaysia. Thai state employees and infrastructure are often hit while attacks on civilians are rare.
Officials believe the conflict dates back to a 1909 deal the British Empire struck to incorporate the Muslim region into the Siamese mainland.
The region's culture is more similar to Malaysia and dramatically different to Buddhist Thais, causing decades of tension that led to the emergence of separatist groups fighting for independence in the 1960s.
The struggle has continued ever since, with more than 7,344 people killed and 13,641 injured between January 2004 and March 2022.
The British Foreign & Commonwealth Office warns against all but essential travel to the region, while Canada's government warns its nationals to 'avoid all travel' to the three provinces.
