The two young women were ambushed as they were riding a motorcycle to the Yala Technical College, police said.

Kanokkarn Kumvaen, 15, and Sukanda Srichan, 17, died at the scene.

Earlier, in Yala province, Muslim Wilas Panaema, 43, was shot and killed as he rode to a rubber plantation in Raman district.

Meanwhile Narathiwat police and soldiers continue to hunt for insurgents who managed to escape to the Taway Mountains after exchanging gunfire with soldiers and police in a Friday raid in which five suspected militants were killed.

Rangers from the 4506 task force stumbled upon 17 militants at a jungle training camp.

Some of the fugitives may have been injured in the gun battle. Two M-16 rifles, a shotgun and ammunition were seized.

Narathiwat Deputy Governor Niphon Narapitakkul said soldiers would search mountain areas for more camps.

"We have received complaints and information from local villagers that mountain jungle areas are being used as militant training camps. Soldiers have been detailed to search," he said.

However, Taway and other mountain areas can only be searched by foot patrols.

Taway extends into Rangae, Joh I Rong, Waeng and Sukhirin districts and borders on Malaysia.

"We have to be very careful to avoid being attacked by insurgents during searches," he added.

Narathiwat provincial police commander Colonel Manote Ananrittikul said investigations were centred on identity cards found at the camp on Friday.

Police and soldiers are speaking to the families of militants killed in the raid to avoid misunderstanding that could lead to protests.