Paramilitary rangers ambushed in Yala rubber plantation attack

Gunfire erupted in Bannang Sata as armed assailants ambushed paramilitary rangers, leaving one officer injured in a rubber plantation near a local community and school. The incident unfolded in the afternoon, sparking an immediate response from police.

The confrontation occurred at 3pm yesterday, November 13, when an unidentified group launched an assault on a unit of paramilitary rangers from Ranger Company 4110. The rangers were conducting a patrol operation following a tactical plan. The attack took place in a rubber plantation located behind the Ban Bajoh School in Moo 1, Ubae Village, Bajoh subdistrict, Bannang Sata district, Yala province.

Upon receiving the report, Phongsakon Saengkul, Commander of the 41st Paramilitary Task Force, mobilised police, paramilitary rangers, and administrative officers to the scene. The injured officer was quickly transported to Yala Central Hospital for urgent medical care, said an investigator familiar with the case

“The assailants, whose numbers remain unknown, used M-16 rifles to ambush the rangers.”

The attackers managed to fire multiple rounds at the rangers, who were part of the Ranger Company 4110, supported by Company 4108.

Despite the heavy gunfire, the body armour worn by the rangers protected them from severe injuries. However, 42 year old Uthen Metha, serving as the head of the tactical unit, sustained a gunshot wound to his left shoulder.

Due to the proximity of residential areas and a school, the rangers were unable to return fire, fearing potential harm to civilians and students. This caution underscores the complexities faced by security personnel operating in populated environments, where the risk of collateral damage must be carefully managed.

In their investigation of the scene, police discovered over 20 spent M-16 shell casings. This evidence points to the intensity of the attack and the serious threat posed by the assailants. Despite deploying tactical teams to track the culprits, the attackers used their familiarity with the area to make a swift escape, reported KhaoSod.

The motive behind the attack remains speculative, but police suspect it is an effort by insurgent groups to destabilise the region. These groups have a history of orchestrating such incidents to create tension and fear within local communities.