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2 Policemen Killed, 3 Injured in Narathiwat Shootout During Drug Probe
A drug investigation in Thailand's southern Narathiwat province turned deadly when policemen encountered a suspicious group, resulting in a firefight that killed two officers and injured three others. Numerous M16 casings were found at the scene as authorities pursue the fleeing suspects.
Two police officers were killed and three others injured in a violent clash in Narathiwat province, southern Thailand, on August 2nd, according to Amarin TV. The incident occurred at approximately 11:48 AM in the Phrai Wan subdistrict. A team of six policemen returning from a drug investigation encountered a suspicious group of men sitting in a hut at a palm plantation. Upon attempting to investigate, the officers were met with a volley of gunfire from an M16 assault rifle. Pol. Sgt. Maj. Hamran Ha, a squad leader of the investigative unit, sustained multiple gunshot wounds to the chest and torso and died at the scene. Pol. Sgt. Maj. Witthaya Chaiphromkaew, also a squad leader, was shot while pursuing the assailant and later died from his injuries. Three other officers, Pol. Lt. Kittipong Srikhum, Pol. Sgt. Maj. Traithos Kulsanthawashiri, and Pol. Sgt. Maj. Wannuchit Saekho, were wounded and received medical treatment. Investigators recovered over 10 M16 bullet casings scattered near the hut and in the plantation. Three men, initially believed to be residing in the hut, were apprehended and are being interrogated to determine their involvement. Sources indicate that some of the fleeing suspects may be members of a violent extremist group seeking temporary shelter. Authorities have cordoned off the area and launched a manhunt involving military, police, and local administrative personnel to apprehend the assailant, believed to still be hiding in the palm plantation.
Original source
Thai Newsroom