Five more suspected insurgents netted in Narathiwat

At least 200 homes were searched in Tambon Tanyongmat, where authorities confiscated six rounds of ammunition for 9mm guns, electrical wire, a device that could be used for detonating a bomb, and three mobile phones.

It was not clear if any of the confiscated items could be used as incriminating evidence but it appeared that security officials were not taking any chances.

Nearly 200 suspects have been detained by security forces over the past two months as a result of the raids. Without declaring victory, Army spokesman Colonel Acra Thiproch maintained that the operation has successfully dented the militants' activities.

Local residents, on the other hand, think the operation has mainly been for publicity purposes amid growing criticism that the thousands of troops in the region have not succeeded in curbing the daily attacks.

Meanwhile, in Yingor district, the home of Waekerleusong Hajiniloh, 78, was burned down yesterday. Waekerleusong is the mother of an Islamic judge, Niwaeali, 55.

Police are yet to determine the cause of the fire but neither an electrical short circuit nor an arson attack by insurgents has been ruled out.