Two nighttime attacks in Narathiwat injures 17
Seventeen people were injured in two separate attacks in Thailand’s southern province of Narathiwat last night, April 20. One involved a motorcycle bomb, the other a gun and grenade assault on a dinner gathering.
The first attack took place as Police Colonel Weerayut Taseepan, from the Koke Kian Police Station, reported a loud explosion beside the wall of the police flat at around 6.45pm. Upon investigation, significant damage was observed to the wall, and several police quarters had their windows shattered and belongings damaged.
Among the injured was a police officer’s child playing near the flat, who was hit by shrapnel.
Emergency services, including the Koke Kian subdistrict’s rescue and police vehicles, promptly transported the injured to Narathiwat Rajanagarindra Hospital. Traffic was cordoned off to facilitate the arrival of explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) teams and forensic officers for further examination.
Witnesses stated that before the explosion, an assailant on a motorcycle with a sidecar, suspected of concealing the explosive device, parked it behind the police flat’s wall.
At the time, a group of children was passing by on their way to Quran classes, resulting in their injuries. Nine people were injured altogether, all mostly from flying debris, reported Bangkok Post.
Just 30 minutes later, another attack unfolded in Waeng district. Armed men launched a grenade and opened fire on a group of Thai Buddhists eating dinner outside a house in Ban Khor Ler Thu Wor village. Seven people were wounded and rushed to Sungai Kolok Hospital.
Seventeen were injured in the two attacks.
The attacks took place just a week before Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai’s scheduled visit to Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat on April 26 and 27 for potential consultations before a formal peace strategy is finalised alongside Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
The Defence Minister indicated that this upcoming discussion could be the last step before a conclusive strategy is formulated and officially announced.
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