Bomb blast at mosque condemned

"Nobody praises, but condemns such a brutal act that causes loss and pain for our brotherhood," said Waduramae Mamingji, chairman of Pattani Provincial Islamic Committee.

"It is not a just struggle [for Muslims] as Allah would not take the bomber into his embrace. It's a sin to kill fellow Muslims and damage a holy place," he said, but declined to say why he believed the bomber was a Muslim.

Nimu Makaje, former deputy chairman of Yala Provincial Islamic Committee, said both the authorities and locals should be aware the attack could have been to create conflict between  Buddhists and Muslims in the region.

"They attack the mosque, a symbol of Islam, to create chaos among religious fellows," he said.

An M-26 hand grenade was thrown into a mosque in Nong Chik district, killing one person instantly.

Police believe the bomber might belong to a Muslim militant cell that is active in the district.