Former Thai police officer-turned-imam killed in Yala shooting
Police recovered over 50 spent bullet casings from the scene of a fatal shooting involving a 54 year old former police officer and current imam, suggesting insurgent groups are behind this attack in Yala province.
Phuad Raseming, known as the imam of the Muhayirin Mosque in Ban Nam Yen, was ambushed and killed by three assailants wielding military-grade firearms and a shotgun. The attack occurred outside his home in Lam Mai subdistrict as he returned from prayers the previous evening. His tragic death right at his doorstep sent shockwaves through the community, said a resident.
“The assailants lay in wait, targeting him as he arrived home.”
The incident has left the community in mourning, with friends and family gathering at Phuad’s residence to express their condolences.
On the day following the attack, Phuad’s family and relatives conducted his funeral according to Islamic rites at the Ban Nam Yen cemetery, with a large turnout of religious leaders and locals attending to pay their respects.
“Phuad was greatly respected and loved by the community,” a mourner expressed, highlighting his positive impact on the village.
During the investigation, led by Kosit Benjakul, the police chief of Lam Mai Police Station, and the bomb disposal and forensic units, numerous pieces of evidence were found. Among them were different types of bullet casings, specifically two 11mm casings, 14 unidentified casings, 33 5.56mm casings from an M-16 rifle, one shotgun casing, two 5.56mm bullets, five bullet heads, and one shotgun shell pillow.
Police are actively analysing the ballistic trajectories and gunpowder residues to track down the perpetrators swiftly, as this incident has deeply affected the residents of Yala and neighbouring areas.
Yala shooting
Phuad, who resigned from the police force in September 2022 to succeed his late father as the imam, was a well-regarded figure in the community. A police intelligence officer mentioned that Phuad previously served at Krong Pinang and Lam Mai Police Stations in Yala City.
“He had no known personal conflicts and was seen as a bridge between state officials and insurgents.”
The officer added that this might have made him a target for those wanting to destabilise the area.
The investigation into the motives behind the killing is ongoing. Police suspect the attack is part of a broader strategy by insurgent groups to instigate unrest in the region. However, they are not ruling out personal motives as a potential factor, reported KhaoSod.
The former officer’s dual role as both a religious leader and an ex-law enforcement officer may have led insurgents to distrust him, positioning the attack as an effort to create discord and blame the state officials.
