NARATHIWAT, Thailand – Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) officers on Thursday morning conducted a secondary search for evidence at a security checkpoint in Narathiwat’s Rangae district, following a fatal insurgent attack the previous night. The attack on the Bukit Sami checkpoint, manned by paramilitary rangers, left five rangers dead and five others wounded. Five civilians, including a 10-year-old child, were also injured in the incident. The scene on Thursday showed extensive damage, with local residents’ homes riddled with bullet holes. More than 100 spent ammunition casings were found at the scene. The resident added that the community shared a close bond with the rangers, who had been stationed there for over a decade and frequently assisted locals. The checkpoint had previously been under police jurisdiction and was targeted three times before the rangers took over the post.
On Thursday morning, the family of one of the slain rangers arrived at the checkpoint accompanied by a Buddhist monk to perform a soul-summoning ritual before transporting his body back to his hometown in Surat Thani province. His mother expressed deep grief, noting that he was the eldest of her four children and the primary provider for the family. Security sources revealed that Thursday morning’s EOD sweep followed an initial investigation conducted overnight. Investigators reported recovering DNA evidence from spent ammunition casings and fragments of pipe bombs used in the attack, which officials believe could help identify the perpetrators. Authorities also located a vehicle used by the attackers that had been set ablaze. The site where the burned vehicle was found connects to escape routes leading into the mountains or across the border. Security forces are currently pursuing the suspects. (TNA)
