KUALA LUMPUR – A police officer was killed and four others were injured in a bomb attack in Bannang Sata in Yala, Thailand, today.
In the incident which took place at about 11.30am (local time), a group of police led by the Head of Criminal Investigation of Bannang Sata Police Station boarded a pick-up on their way to the scene of an attack that was reported last night.
According to Bernama, six vehicles at two locations in Bannang Sata, which is near the Malaysian border, were reportedly burnt in the treacherous attack.
Bannang Satar police chief Ranon Surawit said a bomb believed to be planted on the side of the road was detonated using a walkie-talkie when the pick-up they were riding in arrived at the scene.
“As a result of the strong explosion, the pickup overturned,” he was quoted as telling reporters at the scene of the incident.
“A group of men believed to be hiding in a nearby forest area also opened fire at the police vehicle,” he said.
Ranon said the Head of Criminal Investigation of Bannang Sata Police Station was hit by a bomb fragment and died at the scene.
“Four other policemen were rushed to a nearby hospital to receive treatment,” he said.
Bannang Sata is about 20km from the Sok sub-district in north-eastern Kedah which neighbours Yala in southern Thailand.
Meanwhile, Bernama also reported that Thai police chief Damrongsak Kittiprapas has ordered the police to intensify efforts to track down the mastermind behind the explosion.
During his official visit to Bangkok last week, Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim pledged to assist in facilitating peace in southern Thailand, where skirmishes between the country’s authorities and discontent Muslims have been ongoing for decades.
He said that he and Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha had agreed to appoint an acceptable facilitator from a retired chief of Malaysia armed forces, who is known to Prayut, to work and find ways to assist in this regard.
It was earlier reported that retired chief of the Malaysian Armed Forces Tan Sri Zulkifli Zainal Abidin would be replacing former inspector general of police Tan Sri Abdul Rahim Noor to facilitate peace talks in the region.
Anwar said he will also leverage the fact that many Southern Thai Muslim leaders are familiar with him due to their personal relationship.
“Through investments, trade, and development, I am optimistic we can resolve this. It is unfortunate these small skirmishes have led to distrust and resentment, and we have to appeal to both forces – in Thailand, the south, and even in Malaysia – to understand that peace is paramount,” he said. – The Vibes, February 17, 2023
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