EOD Officer Killed, Suspect Shot Dead in Pattani Clash

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A senior bomb disposal officer was shot dead and two suspects were neutralised, one killed, one captured, after a violent clash at a religious school in Pattani’s Sai Buri district on 15 October. The confrontation occurred when police and military units moved in to investigate reports of an explosion within the grounds of a local ponoh (Islamic boarding school).

Police Colonel Theerapot Yindee, Sai Buri Police Chief, said he had received reports of an explosion near the Mahad Attarbiyah Tulhadisah Islamic Institute in Moo 4, Bang Kao subdistrict. Investigators and an EOD team from Border Patrol Police Company 44 were dispatched to the area. Upon arrival, officers surrounded the school compound and spotted a suspicious man running from a dormitory. The suspect, later identified as 29-year-old Surhafisi Sumae, was caught in possession of a 9mm pistol and ammunition. A records check revealed an outstanding arrest warrant against him.

Authorities called in reinforcements from provincial joint task forces and paramilitary ranger units, believing additional suspects were hiding inside the ponoh. As officers searched the dormitories, Police Senior Sergeant Major Somsak Naksaen, 50, from the EOD unit, entered a student hut and was suddenly fired upon. The gunman, hiding in a wardrobe, opened fire with an M16 assault rifle, hitting Somsak multiple times. Despite emergency medical treatment at Somdej Phra Yupparat Sai Buri Hospital, he later died from his wounds.

Police and local religious leaders attempted to negotiate with the gunman using a loudspeaker, but he refused to surrender. He instead fired at officers while attempting to flee through a window, sparking a prolonged gunfight lasting several minutes. When the exchange ended, the assailant was found dead. Officers recovered two firearms at the scene.

Following the incident, Police Lieutenant General Piyawat Chalermsri, Region 9 Police Commander, and Police Major General Santat Chueaputtan, Pattani Police Chief, visited the scene and ordered a full forensic investigation. Piyawat confirmed that intelligence reports had earlier suggested the area was being used by insurgent operatives for training and shelter. He instructed teams to verify how the suspects gained access to the ponoh and to analyse whether the seized weapons had been used in other attacks.

Authorities have since tightened security across southern border provinces and are monitoring potential retaliation from insurgent groups. Investigators are awaiting fingerprint confirmation of the deceased suspect’s identity while continuing to question the detained man for further leads.

Key Takeaways

• An EOD officer was killed during a gunfight at a Pattani ponohon 15 October.

• Police shot dead one suspect and arrested another, seizing two firearms.

• Authorities have reinforced security measures amid fears of further unrest.

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  Adapted by Asean Now From Dailynews 2025-10-16