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Published on December 2, 2007

The group of about 50 policemen and soldiers was ambushed as they entered the district to carry out a sweep of the area, believed to be packed with Malay Muslim separatist guerrillas.

Authorities said residents had tipped them off that insurgents were in the area, including Abduloh Doleh, 47, wanted in connection to the ongoing violence in the region.

Some suspected insurgents were seen jumping out of windows and fleeing to the back of the village while firing on the advancing security forces.

The gunfight lasted for about five minutes before the suspects retreated to a wooded area, officers said.

After a second, much shorter gunfight deeper in the wooded area, security forces found the body of suspected militant Zainoon Saleh.

The Nation

NARATHIWAT