Highest-ranking Military Officer Based In Yala Killed

[Ta22]

Writethru: Taskforce commander killed in violent Thai South

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Unidentified gunmen Saturday afternoon attacked a group of Special Task Force (STF) soldiers of the Royal Thai Army in Thai southern province of Yala, killing a taskforce commander and a soldier, a military source told Xinhua.

The group of STF soldiers, who were heading to Bannang Kuwae Village in Yala's Bannang Sata district, were attacked by several gunmen with submachine guns at about 2:35 p.m. local time (0735 GMT).

The gunmen also detonated a roadside bomb, killing a soldier and Col. Sutthisak Prasertsri, the commander of STF in Yala.

The source said Col. Sutthisak, the highest-ranking military officer based in Yala, is also the highest-ranking victim in Thai southern violence up till now.

Col. Sutthisak and the soldier died on the spot and five other soldiers were seriously injured.

The soldiers briefly exchanged fire with the gunmen before they escaped from the scene by motorcycles.

Security was highly tightened after the incident since Army Commander-in-Chief Gen. Sonthi Boonyaratkalin was also inspecting local military affairs in Yala Province.

Yala is among the three southern border provinces plagued with violence related to an ongoing insurgency which has claimed more than 1,300 lives since it resumed in early 2004.

Source: Xinhua

No news in thailand yet can someone Confirm .

[sriracha john]

Previously reported here:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?s=...st&p=867117

but appreciate the additional information and will repost it in that thread.

[Scott]

My deepest sympathies to the family and loved ones.