Gunmen open fire with assault rifles
Three villagers were killed and five injured when men with assault rifles attacked a tea shop in Yala's Raman district yesterday, police said. The gunmen arrived at the shop in a pick-up truck. Inside were a group of locals having tea.
Without warning, they opened fire on the group with M-16 and AK-47 assault rifles.
Three men, identified as Ali Mahama, 24, Sulkifli Siyadi, 32, and Dao Showuma, 52, died on the spot, while the five injured were rushed to hospital.
Police believe the attackers wanted to frighten villagers in tambon Nuen Ngam because they believe locals gave government officials information about a hideout which recently led to a raid by security officers on a home in the neighbourhood and the arrest of a suspected insurgent.
''They shot villagers to intimidate and force others not to cooperate with the government,'' said Yala police chief Pumpet Pipatpetpum.
Police suspect the assailants are members of an insurgent group led by Sahudin Tojema. Mr Sahudin's group is also suspected in the killing on Wednesday of Weera Muenchan, the principal of Ban Mahae school in Raman district.
The officers are employing what Pol Col Pumpet called ''Raman strategy'' to pressure militants in Raman district to surrender. Soldiers have been stationed around the district to prevent any suspects from fleeing.
In the neighbouring province of Narathiwat, 26-year-old Border Patrol Police volunteer Somjet Sappaphan was shot in the leg as he rode his motorcycle home in Muang district. He was rushed to hospital.
Witnesses said suspected insurgents were preparing to shoot the man dead but fled the scene when they saw a motorist drive past.
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