Insurgents seen on CCTV 'planting bomb on police car' in southern Thailand

Suspected insurgents were seen on CCTV allegedly planting a bomb on a police car in conflict-torn southern Thailand.

Two male youths were reportedly acting suspiciously before tampering with an officer's vehicle in Narathiwat province on June 19.

Security footage shows one youngster rushing across the street before dropping to the ground and placing a suspected bomb in the undercarriage of a parked police truck.

A resident arriving on a motorcycle spotted the boy as he fled to a nearby temple. The motorist immediately alerted police.

But before an explosive ordnance team could arrive, a blast ripped through the vehicle, sending shrapnel and smoke across the street.

Police said no injuries or casualties were reported as the street was empty at the time, adding that the explosion did not cause significant damage.

Authorities believe the device was planted by insurgents seeking to create unrest in the area.

Such attacks not only threaten officials performing their duties but also directly affect the safety, daily lives and livelihoods of residents, creating fear and disrupting peace in the community.

Following the incident, investigators collected evidence and launched an investigation to identify and track down those responsible for legal action.

Following the incident, three senior police officers were assigned to secure the area.

Police said they have collected evidence and launched a manhunt for the suspects.

Islamic separatist terror attacks target the three southernmost provinces of Thailand - Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat - next to the border with Mulsim neighbors Malaysia. Thai state employees and infrastructure are often hit while attacks on civilians are rare.

Officials believe the conflict dates to a deal in 1909 that 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 lead 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.