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Published on August 16, 2007

Two suspected militants were nabbed yesterday - but an alleged insurgent leader narrowly escaped - when more than 200 troops and police raided a village

in Narathiwat's Tak Bai district.

Skipli Yamiti, 37, and Adinant Maiseng, 17, were taken into custody after armed officers searched six spots in Ban Padohmati from about 4am until 9am.

The officials believe the two are members of the Runda Kumpulan Kecil (RKK), an insurgent group blamed for violence and attacks in the predominantly Muslim region since the beginning of 2004.

However, the group leader Saman Yamiti escaped, officials said.

Troops also confiscated some items found with their belongings, including PVC pipes - used for bombshells - two walkie-talkies and a cell-phone. Meanwhile, militants killed a civilian and injured another in a gun attack in Narathiwat's Si Sakhon district late on Tuesday.

Hason Bueraheng was hit twice in the chest and shoulder, while Yaki Masae was shot in his right arm. Hason later died in hospital.

Elsewhere, insurgents staged attacks in about 20 spots in Songkhla and Pattani on Tuesday night, police said. In the first attack, militants set fire to a school in Moo 1 Village of Tambon Piano in Saba Yoi district, damaging three classrooms.

Insurgents also set fire to the signal tower of a cellphone station in front of the Thepha District Hospital.

A mobile-phone signal tower in Chanae district and two in Namom district were also set ablaze.

The five attacks took place almost simultaneously at 9.45pm.

In Pattani, insurgents cut trees to block many spots along the road between Pattani and Yala.

Some telephone boxes were set fire in Yarang district. A truck belonging to a construction company was burned down in Muang district.

Similar attacks took place in seven Pattani districts.

The Nation

Narathiwat