Carbomb Sets Off Massive Fire In Yala

[Lite Beer]

Carbomb set off massive fire in Yala

By The Nation.

A powerful car bomb ripped through a the town centre in this southernmost province, injuring at least eight people and sent a shockwave through the entire region amid a growing concern that more high profile violent incidents will coming their way.

Authorities suspected that the Maly Muslim insurgent were behind this latest attack that unleashed massive fire and wiped out almost an entire block of wooden shophouses in the heart of Yala's Muang district

Firefights appeared to be no match as bright flame swallowed up one shophouse after another. Local residents and passerby stood and watch helplessly. One ethnic Chinese lady was waving incense up and down the air, asking spirits for help.

The explosive device was hidden in a pick-up truck and detonated in front of a gift shop and a furniture store that also functioned as a warehouse. The vehicle was burnt and bent out of shape almost beyond recognition.

The scene of attack was about 40 metres away from a similar car bomb blast in September 2009 that killed one soldiers and injured 12 others. Several shophouses and buildings were damaged from the attack but none was caught on fire like the Sunday attack.

Suspected insurgents have launched a series of high profile attacks over the past recent months, including an arm heist on an remote Army base in Narathiwat's Rangae district. More than 50 pieces of military weapons were stolen from the camp.

-- The Nation 2011-02-13

[mkawish]

My deepest condolence to all concerned.

When a govt is generally perceived as week and incompetent....

such incidents do happen frequently....

Look to Euro, Aus and U.S. where laws enforcement operate on competency level....

where officers are trained professionally.... and especially for this city warfare....

Well, such ideas have been tended to Apisit's govt.... with the idea of getting

retired and proven experienced experts from abroad as field instructors....

The response from defense ministry was.... we have our own proven experts.... just stay out of our biz....

I guess many local authorities are afraid to take in any straight arrows to join or lead their long term planning sessions and excursions.... mainly because.... massive budget misappropriation on their parts....

It is so very sad that southern unrest can mostly be traced directly to govt mismanagement and fraudulent practices of local authorities as a whole.... culminating in unnecessary death of the innocent citizentry.

Edited February 13, 2011 by mkawish
correction to Abhisit's name