Four soldiers killed, two injured by at least 10 presumed southern insurgents in Pattani

Published : July 29, 2012 :: 09:07:48 [ 931 views ]

Four soldiers killed, two injured by at least 10 presumed southern insurgents in Pattani

PATTANI, July 28 - Four soldiers on patrol were killed and another two injured on Saturday morning by at least ten presumed southern insurgents in Mayo district, spraying bullets at the victims and making off with four guns.

The six special forces soldiers were riding on three motorcycles heading back to base after their daily patrol duty at a local market, when gunmen on three pickup trucks followed them.

At the scene, bloodstains and many spent bullet casings belonging to M-16 assault rifles and shotguns were found scattered on the road.

Numerous spikes were thrown on the road to obstruct the authorities’ ability to follow the assailants.

The six victims were initially sent to Mayo Hospital Pattani. The surviving injured were later sent to Pattani Hospital for treatment.

In a separate incident in nearby southernmost province of Narathiwat, a 29-year-old village head deputy was shot and wounded in Rueso district before dawn on Saturday while riding a motorcycle home after Muslim prayer services.

He was sent to Rueso Hospital and later transferred to Naradhiwasrajanagarindra Hospital in the provincial seat.

The victim was shot by gunmen on his left arm and right hand. Hiding themselves in a forest along the road, the gunmen shot at the victim three times, using an M-16, before later fleeing into the darkness.

Report by : MCOT