Fierce clash leaves three militants, and one army ranger dead

NARATHIWAT: -- One Army ranger and three southern militants died after they engaged in a fierce gunfight in the mountainous area of Chanae district of Narathiwat province this morning.

The clash broke out as government force discovered a jungle stronghold of the militants and tried to seize it.

The stronghold is consisted of 18 makeshift shelters.

By late this morning a combined force of police, rangers and district officials are still engaged in sporadic gunfight with the militants who are trying to escape into dense jungle area of the I-gros village in Tambon Chang Puek.

Initial report said one ranger and three militants were killed in the fighting which happened around 5 am today.

By 7 am sporadic gunfire could still be heard as government reinforcement was in hot pursuit of the fleeing militants.

One dead body of a militant was recovered at the scene.

Several pools of blood were also found along the escape route.

Four assault rifles comprising two AK47 and two M16 were seized.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/165539


-- Thai PBS 2016-06-01

Hat Yai placed under tightened security alert



HAT YAI: -- Hat Yai is placed under maximum security today with three routes leading into this major southern business town ordered to be in full alert to check all vehicles from the deep south to the town following fierce clash that left three militants dead in Narathiwat.

The alert also coincided with the approaching start of the Ramadan fasting of Muslim people.

Security officials at the Fourth Army Region fear increased violence before the observation of the Ramadan fast.

Security checkpoints at three locations before entering Hat Yai were fully manned by troops, police and district officials.

They were ordered to check all vehicles passing the checkpoints.

All vehicles will be told to slide down all side windows while approaching the road checkpoints.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/165569


-- Thai PBS 2016-06-01