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Published on July 16, 2007

Manso Sohpanoh, 45, of the Mahad Islamiyah in Yala province was shot dead early yesterday morning while shopping with his wife Amenoh.

The teacher died instantly. His wife was hit, too, and remains in a coma.

Police believe militants attacked the couple as part of a concerted campaign of violence in the region. There is no other clear motive, they said.

In neighbouring Narathiwat province, gunmen fired automatic weapons at a pickup, killing railway worker Abdullah Watae, 51. Police recovered more than 40 spent casings at the scene.

Between 9am and 10am two villagers and a fireman were injured in separate gun attacks in Rangae district. Plod Anuket and wife Fai Sirubsi were shot while riding their motorcycle and remain in hospital.

Fireman Thanom Wannachu was shot in the neck and back while driving to work.

Police suspect insurgents were behind all the attacks.

Six more suspected militants were arrested yesterday in raids on 10 separate locations in Rangae by more than 300 policemen and officials. The officials also confiscated cloth resembling that used in military uniforms, mobile phones, knives, ammunition and a passport and Malay-language leaflets.

All six denied involvement with violence. They will be detained for 30 days for questioning under emergency law.