Picture courtesy of Siam News.

 

A volunteer defence officer was seriously injured on the morning of 21 May, in a shooting incident while on duty guarding teachers near a local school in Bannang Sata district, Yala province.

 

At approximately 07:45, Pol. Sgt. Paritath Nookliang, a radio officer at Bannang Sata Police Station, received a report from the village protection unit (Chor Ror Bor) that an unknown number of assailants had opened fire with unidentified firearms on a team of volunteer officers.

 

The attack took place in Moo 3, Ban Ngo-Kapo, Bannang Sata subdistrict, while the officers were conducting a routine security operation along the route to Ban Tao Poon School (Bangkok Bank 16). The gunfire injured one officer, later identified as Asst. Volunteer Officer (AVO) Wanasri Wata 30, of Jakwa subdistrict in Raman district, also in Yala.

 

Wanasri sustained a gunshot wound to the abdomen and was reported to be in critical condition. Emergency responders from the Hilal Ahmar Foundation and fellow officers rushed him to Bannang Sata Hospital. He was later transferred to Yala Central Hospital for urgent medical intervention.

 

Security forces, including police, paramilitary rangers, and administrative officers, quickly sealed off the area to ensure safety. Police Colonel Atthaphon Kunluangmanaso, Superintendent of Bannang Sata Police Station, and Deputy Inspector Lt. Arifin Mesa led a team from the Yala Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit, forensic investigators and other relevant authorities to examine the scene and gather evidence. Witness statements are also being collected in an effort to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.

 

According to initial reports, a group of 7–8 volunteer officers was stationed at the school gate when gunfire erupted. The assailants, whose number and identities remain unknown, fled into the surrounding terrain, making use of their local knowledge.

 

Following the incident, the Yala Area Education Office District 2 instructed the school’s administration to suspend classes for the day as a safety precaution while the investigation continues.

 

Authorities suspect the attack was carried out by an insurgent group active in Bannang Sata and nearby areas, targeting security personnel in an effort to assert their presence and capabilities.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Siam News 2025-05-22.

 

 

 

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Authorities suspect the attack was carried out by an insurgent group active in Bannang Sata and nearby areas, targeting security personnel in an effort to assert their presence and capabilities.

 

Can't say Muslim terrorists ? 

4 minutes ago, NickyLouie said:

 

Can't say Muslim terrorists ? 

 

Islamist terrorists, if that's what they were.