Soldier, suspected insurgent killed in Yala clash

YALA, Sept 3 – A soldier and a suspected insurgent with outstanding arrest warrant were killed on Friday in a clash between the military and the alleged insurgent in the provincial seat of the southern border province of Yala, according Governor Krissada Boonraj.

The clash took place Friday early morning when 30 soldiers from a Yala special task force unit cordoned off the suspected insurgent’s home in Bado village and exchanged gunfire with the occupants of the house.

Following the incident, Sgt Sayan Thitiprasart, the head of a bomb squad, was seriously wounded and died later.

Also, two other wounded soldiers were taken to Yala Hospital for medical treatment.

Initial investigation found the body of the suspected insurgent, Muhamadameen Sarai, 27, in the home as well as a .38 caliber pistol.

The investigative team took pistol as evidence for further investigation, according to Pol Col Poompetch Pipatpetchpoom, deputy commander of Yala provincial police.

A Yala court earlier had issued an arrest warrant for Mr Sarai on charges of planting a bomb in Yala municipality.

To prevent possible attacks to the authorities by insurgent groups, Pol Col Poompetch ordered police to tighten security at all checkpoints and thoroughly check vehicles.

The violence in the three southern border provinces of Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat has intensified since 2004 with more than 4,100 people have been killed including local
residents, teachers, security personnel and suspected insurgents.

The state of emergency imposed since 2005 remains in place in the region. (MCOT online news)