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Published on September 12, 2007

Suspected insurgents shot dead a retired police officer, Senior Sgt-Major Wicharn Namikul, 52, while in nearby Yala, Useng Yusoh, 21, a resident of Tambon Satengnok, was found shot dead in a similar attack.

Useng's brother, Mahyuding Yusoh, 36, suffered gunshot wounds from the attack and was rushed to a nearby hospital.

Wicharn was killed after being hit by three shots fired at close range by a gunman who came from behind on a motorbike, police said.

In Narathiwat, combined forces confiscated three M16 rifles, one AK47, one shotgun, 200 litres of fuel and scores of bullets in Rusoh district.

The shakedown came a day before Muslims in the restive region prepare to observe the holy month of Ramadan.

The Army, in a concession to locals, has said it will lift the curfew imposed since March on two of the most violent districts in Yala province - from today until October 21.

More than 100 suspected insurgents have been arrested since Saturday and taken to detention camps at Army bases, where they are questioned and often made to take "re-education" programmes. If the suspects are not charged, they must be released after 30 days, but can be detained again in further security sweeps.

Meanwhile, Yala provincial officials provided Bt500,000 to the family of the late Aliyah Mae-ae, the deputy village chief killed in a recent shootout.

 The Nation

Pattani