Insurgents kill defence volunteer in southern Thailand, 2 injured

Suspected insurgents launched a targeted attack on eight territorial defence volunteers in Narathiwat province in southernmost Thailand this morning. One volunteer was killed and two more are injured.

At 8am, officers at Si Sakhon Police Station were informed that insurgents detonated a roadside bomb and fired shots with automatic rifles at Si Sakhon defence volunteers, killing one and injuring two, in Ai-yeng village.

Eight defence volunteers, riding four motorbikes, were returning to their base early this morning having completed their routine mission providing security for teachers at a school in the village when they were ambushed.

An unknown number of insurgents hid around 300 metres away in the jungle and used a remote control to detonate a 25-kilogram explosive device which they had earlier hidden in a gas pump.

After the bomb exploded the insurgents ran in and fired shots with automatic rifles at the group of volunteers.

Police found the body of 32 year old Hamdee Makaze on the road lying near a damaged motorbike. Police said there were shrapnel wounds all over his body and he sustained two gunshot wounds in his head and the middle of his back.

After killing Hamdee, the insurgents seized his gun and fled, said the injured volunteers.

Another volunteer, 38 year old Sgt. Gen. Manayee Samo sustained a shrapnel wound on his left hip and was shot in his left leg.

Another, 49 year old Suding Dorloh, survived a gunshot wound to the head and shrapnel wounds on his face.

Both of the injured men were taken to Sri Sakhon Hospital for treatment.

In November, a police officer was killed and 20 more were injured by a car bomb explosion at a police housing complex in Narathiwat province in another suspected insurgency attack.

Insurgents in southern Thailand take out sporadic violent attacks on representatives of the Thai state, e.g., police officers, teachers, Buddhist monks and government officials.