M79 Grenades Fired at Kapho Police Station in Pattani – No Casualties Reported

Picture from responders.

In a bold and alarming act, assailants launched two M79 grenades at the Kapho Police Station in Pattani Province, causing damage but fortunately resulting in no injuries. The perpetrators fled into a nearby forest after the attack.

The incident occurred on January 19, while Police Colonel Sinchai Pabubpa, the superintendent of Kapho Police Station, was on duty in his ground-floor office. Around midday, the station was shaken by the thunderous sound of two explosions, sending officers inside the building scrambling for safety.

Upon inspection, it was found that one of the grenades had struck the roof of a police housing unit adjacent to the station. The house belonged to Police Sergeant Major Samathi Nonghong, who was away at the time. The blast shattered roof tiles and nearby windows, including those of neighbouring homes.

The second grenade landed in the vicinity but did not cause any visible damage. Fragments of the M79 grenades were recovered at the scene and collected as evidence.

In a separate but likely related incident, an explosion was reported in the nearby village of Moo 5, in Plong Hoi subdistrict. This occurred on a dirt mound roughly 200 metres from an old palm oil factory. Investigators discovered fragments of a steel box and shrapnel scattered across the site, which were also secured as evidence. Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities were reported in either attack.

Deputy Commander of Pattani Provincial Police, Police Colonel Prayong Khotsakha, visited the Kapho Police Station to oversee the investigation. He instructed officers to gather evidence, review CCTV footage, and tighten security measures. Checkpoints were established in critical areas, particularly near government buildings, to prevent further attacks.

Authorities believe the attacks were orchestrated by insurgent groups active in the region. The assailants are suspected to have approached the police station on foot, firing the M79 grenades from the forested area opposite the station before retreating into the dense vegetation.

This latest attack underscores the ongoing unrest in southern Thailand, where security forces remain on high alert to counter potential threats. Investigations are ongoing, and efforts to identify and apprehend the culprits are being intensified.

-- 2025-01-21