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Five Soldiers Killed in Bomb Attack at Thai Checkpoint
🇸🇬 Singapore /Conflict & Security

Five Soldiers Killed in Bomb Attack at Thai Checkpoint

From CNA · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • Five Thai soldiers died in a bomb and shooting attack at a checkpoint in Thailand's southern Narathiwat province.
  • Six civilians were also injured in the coordinated assault, which is one of the deadliest incidents in the region in recent years.
  • The attack occurred on Wednesday evening, and authorities have sealed off the area while searching for the suspects.

Five Thai soldiers were killed in a coordinated bomb and shooting attack at a checkpoint in the insurgency-plagued southern province of Narathiwat. The incident, which also wounded six civilians, marks one of the deadliest assaults in the region in recent years.

Members of Task Force Ranger Regiment 45 "were killed when assailants opened fire and threw pipe bombs at the Bukeh Sami checkpoint ... while they were on duty protecting local residents".

— Thai ArmyDescribing the attack on the checkpoint.

The attack took place on Wednesday evening when assailants opened fire and threw pipe bombs at the Bukeh Sami checkpoint. Members of Task Force Ranger Regiment 45 were on duty protecting local residents at the time. Authorities have since sealed off the area and are searching for the suspects, who were reportedly seen fleeing in a black pickup truck.

Their service and sacrifice will be remembered and honoured with the highest respect.

— Thai ArmyPaying tribute to the soldiers killed in the attack.

Local officials confirmed that among the injured civilians was a 10-year-old boy who sustained a leg wound. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack. A low-level conflict has persisted in Thailand's southernmost provinces since 2004, resulting in over 7,000 deaths as rebels seek greater autonomy.

While attacks in Thailand's deep south mostly target security personnel, the incident on Wednesday was "different in terms of death tolls and young civilians that were injured from crossfire".

— Chanatip TatiyakaroonwongCommenting on the nature and severity of the attack.

Human rights researcher Chanatip Tatiyakaroonwong of Amnesty International noted that while attacks in the deep south typically target security personnel, this incident stands out due to the high death toll and the involvement of young civilians injured in the crossfire. Opposition leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut condemned the attack and urged the government to expedite efforts to identify and prosecute the perpetrators while providing assistance to the victims and their families.

expedite efforts to identify and prosecute the suspects, while providing assistance to those affected and the families of the victims

— Natthaphong RuengpanyawutUrging government action following the attack.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by CNA in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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