Three Killed In Restive Thai South: Police

Three killed in restive Thai south: police

YALA, December 18, 2010 (AFP) - Two soldiers providing security for Buddhist monks were shot dead Saturday in Thailand's far south, a day after a suspected Islamic militant was killed by security forces, police said.

Unknown gunmen travelling in a pick-up truck opened fire on the government troops in Yala, one of three Muslim-majority southern provinces under a state of emergency as the authorities struggle to contain a raging insurgency.

Two of the soldiers died instantly, police said.

In another incident on Friday, a 29-year-old suspected militant was reported to have been killed in a shoot-out with security forces in neighbouring Pattani province.

One police officer was wounded in the stand-off, while a 13-year-old was injured by a stray bullet, the authorities said.

Suspected Islamic insurgents have waged a violent campaign in Thailand's deep south near the border with Malaysia for about seven years, targeting Muslims and Buddhists, civilians and security personnel.

More than 4,400 people have died since January 2004, while over 7,000 have been injured, according to the non-governmental organisation Deep South Watch, which monitors the conflict.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2010-12-18