Bomb Blast Kills Defense Volunteers In Thailand'S South

Bomb blast kills defense volunteers in Thailand's south < br />

2012-05-29 04:25:53 GMT+7 (ICT)

BAN KOLI, THAILAND (BNO NEWS) -- A roadside bomb struck a vehicle in Thailand's restive south on Monday afternoon, killing three defense volunteers and injuring several others, police said. It was not immediately known who was responsible.

The attack happened just before 12:30 p.m. local time when an improvised explosive device (IED), which was hidden inside a fire extinguisher and buried in sand, exploded on a road near the village of Ban Koli in Kapho district of Pattani province, which is located in the country's south.

Police said the group of seven defense volunteers were returning from a ceremony to circumcise the son of an assistant village head when the bomb exploded, destroying most of the pickup truck and overturning the wreckage. Officials believe the explosive device was detonated by wire from a nearby rubber plantation.

District police officials said defense volunteers Abdullo Hawae, 40, Nima Masae, 32, and Muhammadromeesu Yuso, 25, were killed in the bomb attack. Four other defense volunteers were injured, including two people who sustained serious injuries and were rushed to a hospital.

Since 2004, more than 4,800 people have been killed in Thailand's southern regions of Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat as separatist groups renewed their fighting efforts against the government. More than 7,000 people have been injured in violent incidents launched by separatist militants in the region, which is for a majority Muslim.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2012-05-29