PATTANI, Nov 17 (TNA) – Pattani police are on high alert following Tuesday shootout in which six insurgents were killed and three police officers wounded.
Pol. Maj-Gen. Pichet Pitisethapan, commander of Pattani police, instructed all civil servants to be on higher alert and to closely monitor their offices, aiming to forestall any possible retaliation for Tuesday’s insurgent losses.
Memorial services for the insurgents were held Tuesday evening, while the three wounded police officers are in stable condition in hospital. The trio consisted of Pol. Lt Panya U-tapao, Sgt Pornchai Chaichompoo and Sgt Chalermporn Phosri.
Nine casualties raises the violence profile in the insurgency-troubled province of Pattani.
Police early on Tuesday raided three houses in Khok Pho district responding to a report of suspected insurgents hiding out in the area. While police surrounded a house, four suspected insurgents attempted escape, firing at police as they went.
During the two-hour standoff, police negotiators used a loud speaker to the presumed insurgents to give themselves up. Tear gas lobbed into the houses also failed to pressure the suspects to surrender, so police wielding shields stormed the house.
The besiegers and the suspects exchanged gunfire for 30 minutes.
When the shooting stopped six suspects were found dead, and three police were wounded. The bodies of the dead were later transferred to a memorial service Tuesday night, after the forensic procedures were completed. (TNA)
General News : Last Update : 10:42:53 18 November 2009 (GMT+7:00)
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