DEEP SOUTH
Security upped as Krue Se day looms
The Nation


Military officials from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit at Ingkayuthaborihan Camp in insurgency-hit Pattani province conduct bomb-disposal training.

Three suspected insurgents shot dead after raids on hideouts in Yala

YALA: -- Security officials shot dead three suspected insurgents in separate incidents yesterday, after conducting simultaneous raids on mountain hideouts in two districts of Yala province.

Meanwhile, Army commander General Prayuth Chan-ocha warned of further violence following the ninth anniversary of the Krue Se mosque incident this Sunday, as the next school semester was near, and insurgents might target teachers again when schools reopen.

A senior government adviser, Yuthasak Sasiprapha, called on civilian authorities in the deep South to work closely with security officials to organise security measures.

He said the insurgents' message - displayed on a large number of cloth banners and placed deliberately at strategic locations last week - should not be taken lightly.

The message read, "Peace will not prevail if the true stakeholders are not recognised."

The shoot-outs in Bannang Sata and Yaha districts of Yala, which involved paramilitary rangers and police, followed attempts to apprehend a number of insurgents reportedly preparing launch attacks to mark the anniversary, security forces said.

Security officers and insurgents exchanged gunfire at a checkpoint, and one person was killed in the shooting.

The remaining gunmen were then pursued into the jungle and further gun battles ensued, during which two suspects were shot dead. The three victims have yet to be identified. They were carrying three assault rifles and one handgun.

High-profile visits

Both Prayuth and Yuthasak are visiting troops in the deep South as well as inspecting the security measures being put in place there.

The city of Hat Yai and its business district are among possible targets as the Krue Se anniversary approaches, officials said.

In a radio interview, Yuthasak said operations of the Internal Security Operations Command, should be expanded to cover the district level, in addition to the current provincial level.

Prayuth said the new information obtained from the April 29 meeting between authorities and insurgent representatives should also be shared by security agencies at ground level.

Srisomphob Jitphiromsri, peace activist and director of DeepSouth-Watch, said the Malaysia-brokered peace dialogue should have positive results, despite the continued violence and potential attacks during the anniversary.

He said the message displayed on the banners did not quite denounce the peace efforts, but rather, offered an opinion and an opportunity for the insurgents to present a united front.


-- The Nation 2013-04-27

Three down, about one thousand to go. I would have thought with the tens of thousands of armed govt people in the south the clean up could go much quicker. But then again, they always appear to wait until something happens before they do anything, all of which is carefully covered by media. Wouldn't it be far better to do a search and arrest of suspected militants and those protecting them? At least then they can be flushed out somewhat. Of course picking up the occasional mullah propagating the strife may also help. Once in custody then undertake some 'peace talks' with the balance of populace and village heads. Just wishful thinking I know.

The insurgents are now trolling FaceBook looking for soldiers and comparing photo's they have taken of them and trying to find where they live plus their friends, this is now taken another dangerous turn , doubtful if peace will be next week, that's for sure.

Srisomphob's observation in the last sentence is worth thinking about.

Have to have sympathy for the security forces in the South, they have been "tightened" to the point of chronic constipation, and now they're being "upped".

BTW congratulations on the last few days work - I make it 4 killed and 3 caught. There's nothing like a funeral or four to make peace talks seem more attractive to the "separatist heroes." Though I suppose they'll shoot up a telephone booth or plant a bomb in a kindergarten for revenge.

Edited May 2, 201313 yr by OzMick

double post.

Edited May 2, 201313 yr by OzMick