Narathiwat Attack Vehicle Found Torched, 10 Suspects Hunted

The pickup truck believed to have been used in a deadly attack in Narathiwat's Rangae district, which killed five rangers, was found torched in Sri Sakhon district, about 21 kilometers from the scene. Authorities are hunting for 10 armed men suspected of involvement. Security officials discovered the torched pickup in Ban Aijia village, tambon Sakor, Sri Sakhon district, late Wednesday night. A burnt license plate from Songkhla province was found at the fire scene. Forensic officials collected evidence from the debris to identify suspects. The site is in an area where Rangae, Chanae, and Sri Sakhon districts adjoin. The attack occurred at the Bukeh Sami checkpoint in tambon Tanyong Mat, Rangae district, at approximately 6:45 PM on Wednesday. About 10 attackers, wearing black clothing and hats and riding in a pickup truck and on a motorcycle, arrived at the checkpoint and fired guns and threw pipe bombs at the soldiers on duty. The assailants also stole three AK-47 assault rifles, three bullet-proof vests, and three mobile phones from the soldiers. Five members of the 45th Ranger Regiment Task Force were killed in the attack, and six civilians were injured. Five of the injured have been discharged from the hospital, while a 10-year-old boy remains hospitalized for a leg wound with a stable condition, according to the provincial public relations department. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, and no arrests have been made. Lt-Gen Norathip Phoynok, commander of the Fourth Army Area, inspected the attack scene at the Bukeh Sami checkpoint on Thursday morning. He ordered a swift hunt for the suspects, maximum security operations, and assistance for the families of the deceased soldiers. Information Source: Bangkok Post