ID :
11852
Tue, 07/08/2008 - 11:24
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/11852
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Pattani ambush; 2 rangers dead, 3 students wounded
PATTANI, July 8 (TNA) - An unknown number of presumed insurgents ambushed a military truck carrying schoolchildren in Nongjik district here Monday, killing two paramilitary rangers and wounding three students.
The rangers, identified as Vichien Panna and Noppadon Srisukkaew, wereshot dead while attempting to provide escort protection to the students on their way home from school.
The latest violence occurred only hours after 44 schools in Raman district of the neighbouring province of Yala reopened after having temporarily suspended classes since the middle of last week.
The schools resumed classes following the insurgent shooting death last Wednesday of a school director.
Banmahae School director Weera Muanchan was gunned down on Wednesday as he returned home in Yala's Raman district.
Yala Education Office director Atthasit Rattanaklaew said security has been tightened to prevent further untoward incidents. Soldiers are onpatrol duty on all routes leading to and from schools, and parents have been seen bringing their children to classes.
Mr. Atthasit said 11 schools in the same district did not reopen Monday, opting instead to open on Wednesday due to concerns over teachers and pupils' safety following a shooting incident between security forces and suspected insurgents near two schools.
School teachers are a primary target of frequent insurgent attacks in the Muslim-majority southern border provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat where an ethnic and culturally-based insurgent movement has been carrying out acts of violence since January 2004.
The rangers, identified as Vichien Panna and Noppadon Srisukkaew, wereshot dead while attempting to provide escort protection to the students on their way home from school.
The latest violence occurred only hours after 44 schools in Raman district of the neighbouring province of Yala reopened after having temporarily suspended classes since the middle of last week.
The schools resumed classes following the insurgent shooting death last Wednesday of a school director.
Banmahae School director Weera Muanchan was gunned down on Wednesday as he returned home in Yala's Raman district.
Yala Education Office director Atthasit Rattanaklaew said security has been tightened to prevent further untoward incidents. Soldiers are onpatrol duty on all routes leading to and from schools, and parents have been seen bringing their children to classes.
Mr. Atthasit said 11 schools in the same district did not reopen Monday, opting instead to open on Wednesday due to concerns over teachers and pupils' safety following a shooting incident between security forces and suspected insurgents near two schools.
School teachers are a primary target of frequent insurgent attacks in the Muslim-majority southern border provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat where an ethnic and culturally-based insurgent movement has been carrying out acts of violence since January 2004.
