Four people including a monk were killed and six others were injured in a drive-by attack in Pattani province yesterday. The gunmen are thought to be Muslim The attack happened as Buddhist monks were making their morning alms rounds. Six attackers arriving on three motorcycles opened fire on the monks and villagers. The attack started an exchange of gunfire between the attackers and soldiers who were escorting the monks.
Police said the assailants, who were dressed in camouflage, were armed with assault rifles and were mistaken for a team of security officials. Eyewitnesses said some of the assailants were also injured in the gun battle.
Col Banpot Pulpian spokesman for Internal Security Operations Command, said leaflets were found in the province after the attack. The leaflets said the attack was carried out in revenge for an attack on three Muslim children and their mother in Narathiwat on Feb 3. He said information about the attack on the Muslim family was not true, and asked locals to not to spread it further.