One killed in raids, school attack in Yala
More violence rocked Yala over the weekend with suspected militants shooting dead one man, ambushing security patrols, attacking a local school and setting fires.
Muelee Chelong, 40, was killed as he rode his motorbike in Yala's Raman district late on Saturday night. Police said two gunmen approached the Muelee and opened fire with AK-47s. Earlier, more than 10 suspected militants ambushed a border-patrol station in Bannang Sata district. Officials fought back and a gunfight raged for about 10 minutes. There were no casualties.According to Pol Sub-Lt Tham Loysatuen of Bannang Sata police, suspected insurgents cut electricity to Bacho district ahead of the ambush. The power outage made it difficult for police to reach the patrol station. An unknown number of motorcycle gunmen opened fire on Nikompitakrath School in Thanto district as security forces patrolled the grounds. No injuries were reported. Separately, suspected militants set fire to tyres and laid down spikes along the Bannang Sata-Krongpinang and Krongpinang-Phongyeurai highways. Yala Governor Boonyasit Suwanrat said he had beefed up security. "I'm deeply concerned about the daily killings, which have frightened local residents," he said. He supported a scheme to build understanding between government officials and local villagers that could encourage information exchange and prevent attacks. More than 1,200 people have been killed in the South since early 2004.
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