8 soldiers killed in brutal ambush

It was the deadliest attack against the military in the region since the ambush of a security team in June last year in which seven troops were killed.

Shocked officials said about 20 insurgents triggered a bomb as an Army Humvee armoured patrol car (APC) carrying the eight soldiers drove through Ban Dusongyoh in Chanae district. The patrol had been assigned to provide security for teachers.

The Humvee was overturned in the explosion and the insurgents, who had been hiding in the jungle along the roadside, emerged and fired into the vehicle.

Police rushed to the scene and found the APC upside down and the bodies of the eight soldiers riddled with shrapnel and bullets.

One of the slain soldiers had been decapitated. Officials said it appeared the attackers had tried to behead all eight soldiers. They decapitated the commanding officer in the group and left the others with gaping stab wounds in their necks.

Police said the wounded soldiers who survived the blast were stabbed and shot to make sure that they were dead.

Before leaving the scene, the militants took eight M-16 rifles, one M-60 machine gun and one 11mm pistol belong to the unit.

The eight soldiers were Sub-Lieutenant Anont Bountham, the unit commander, Sergeant Major Somchit Thieuphum-ruk, Sergeant Major Phongsak Chanmala, Sergeant Boun-tham Nilsonthi, Corporal Watchara Wattanothai, Lance Corporal Prachum Kopra-klangchai, Private Somphong Kamolchuang and Private Utis Panmat.

The men belonged to 2923 Infantry Company from Narathiwat's 34th Task Force.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said the attack was typical of the insurgent violence in the region. It could have taken place at any time and was not related to a recent visit to the deep South by Army chief Anuphong Paochinda.

"It is not an indication that suggests a worsening situation in the region, but we still need to be more careful," he said.

An immediate hunt was launched for the attackers. Officials said there were no immediate clues to where they went.

The brutal attack took place a day after six suspected militants escaped from custody in Narathiwat's Tanyong police district.

Prime Minister Surayud blamed police officials for the escape.

"The police have to investigate how such an incident could happen and how the prisoners managed to escape from detention," he said. "I am waiting for the investigation report from the concerned officials."

The police have been hunting for the six fugitives led by Nasri Mulee, the head of an active militant unit in Narathiwat's Rangae district, since early on Sunday.

In neighbouring Yala province, an explosion in Yaha district at about 7.45am yesterday injured two soldiers in a patrol of 16 men who were providing safety for teachers in the area.

The attack prompted two public schools in Yaha's Patae sub-district to close as a precaution.

Earlier, at about 1am, telephone wires and switches were burnt in Yala's Raman district, causing telephone and Internet failure in the entire district and nearby areas.

The Nation