Manhunt widens for police killers in Thailand's south; separate attack injures one in Pattani

A manhunt is underway for six suspects accused of killing two police officers in Thailand's southern Narathiwat province. Investigators believe the assailants may have fled across the border following the attack on Sunday. The shooting occurred at a palm plantation in Tak Bai district, killing Pol Sgt Maj Hamran Ha and Pol Sen Sgt Maj Withaya Chaipromkaew, and injuring four others. Authorities are confident that a fugitive known as Arif, wanted on drug charges, was the shooter. He is also suspected of involvement in previous car bomb attacks. Evidence collected at the scene included numerous bullet casings and a disassembled rifle. In a separate incident on Tuesday, assailants opened fire on the Pattani Area Excise Office, Mayo Branch, injuring one person. This attack followed the arrest of a suspect for selling untaxed cigarettes. Preliminary investigations suggest the assailants targeted the office shortly after the suspect arrived for legal procedures.