Remote control bombs and random shootings of Buddhists — Thai jihad update. “Seven killed in militants’ attacks in Thai south,” from AFP, with thanks to Twostellas:
NARATHIWAT, Thailand: Seven people, including two police officers, have been killed in Thailand’s Muslim-majority south, as violence flared in the wake of a deadly hostage-taking two days ago, police said.
Two police officers were killed when a bomb exploded as they cleared the road for a convoy of teachers going to Ban Kaseanue school early Friday in Sungai Padi, Narathiwat province, police Captain Nethiwut Deekaeo told AFP.
“The roadside bomb went off at 8:30 am, killing two policemen instantly and injuring one officer,” Nethiwut said.
Sergeant Somchai Khaisak, 25, and Sergeant Somkid Romthong, 25, died with major injuries to their heads and bodies from what police believe was a remote-control bomb detonated to hit the teachers’ escorts.
Teachers and schools, seen by militants as a symbol of Bangkok’s influence, are frequent targets of shootings, bombings and arson attacks. Armed police and soldiers escort teachers to and from class every day.
Hours later, another remote-control bomb detonated in the same district of Narathiwat, injuring three soldiers, and a smaller bomb exploded and damaged a car outside a mosque in neighbouring Yala province, police said.
Also in Yala, a 65-year-old Buddhist man, Klom Huapet, was shot dead Friday morning while driving his motorcycle home from market in Yupo village, police Major Virat Damkong said.
In neighbouring Pattani province, a Buddhist construction worker was shot dead while on his way to work, police Major Chatchai Bumrungkorn said.
Gunmen on a motorcycle shot Prasert Kongchuay, 47, three times in front of the Paklor health office, Chatchai said.
Late Wednesday in Sungai Padi, a Muslim man believed to have been a police informant was shot dead as he travelled by motorcycle with his Buddhist wife, police said.