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Southeast Asia
Three killed in brazen attack on army outpost in southern Thailand
2012-07-19
Security officials have arrested two suspects believed to be among more than 25 terrorists militants who attacked a military outpost in Narathiwat province on Tuesday, killing three people and injuring six. The suspects were nabbed during a manhunt launched after the attack.

Col Pramot Phrom-in, deputy spokesman for the Internal Security Operations Command's Fourth Region, said authorities had "clear evidence" the two were involved.

He said investigators believed all the attackers belonged to the same bamd of terrorists rebels who had attacked Phra Ong Dam military base in the same province on Jan 19 last year. One suspect in the Phra Ong Dam case was identified as Sunkipli Sika who was arrested in February this year.

On Tuesday, men in uniform similar to that of military rangers arrived at the outpost of the 15,123rd Company in Rueso district in two pickup trucks and three motorcycles before launching a grenade and firing small arms at soldiers and civilians there. Village defense volunteers and residents nearby helped the troops and returned fire at the attackers.

Pvt Salawut Minsayom and two villagers, Hio Roipariwat and Nitisak Kwanwichan, were killed in the five-minute gun battle.

Police think two of the attackers were also killed and their bodies taken away by their fellow terrorists militants in the pickup trucks as they fled the scene. The group left their motorcycles behind.

An investigation indicates that one of the motorcycles belongs to Ahama Tole, a key subordinate of terrorist militant suspect Ropaeing Useng. The terrorist militant put the license plate of a another motorcycle over the one used in the attack to cover its original registration. Police are looking for the hideout of Mr Ahama who is believed to have fled to Yala province.

They are also looking for the owners of the other two motorcycles left at the scene after finding their license plates had been switched.

The army was aware of the possibility of increased terrorist insurgent violence before Ramadan, which begins tomorrow. Deputy Prime Minister Yutthasak Sasiprapa said, "I learned from an intelligence report around noon [on Tuesday] that the attack would occur within two days," adding that the attacked outpost served as a checkpoint.
Posted by:ryuge

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