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"The gun attack was barbaric, inhumane and politically motivated," said PAD spokesman Suriyasai Katasila.

PAD leaders suspect certain political cliques conspired to shoot down Sondhi, said Suriyasai.

The shooting with assault rifles bore the hallmarks of work by men in uniform, as ordinary gunmen would not risk carrying out the job during emergency rule, he said.

He called for Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to overhaul the personnel in charge of security affairs.

PAD co-leader Somkiat Pongpaiboon said the country had turned into a killing field, as indicated by Sondhi's shooting.

The situation has become one of guerrilla warfare, involving teams of assassins for killings, he said.

Somkiat said the government had failed to ensure safety under its emergency rule.

He suggested the removal of the national police chief, military commanders, the director of the Armed Forces Security Centre and the director-general of the National Intelligence Agency.

PAD co-leader Pibhop Dhongchai said he found it hard to believe the military had no knowledge about the attack on Sondhi.

He said none of the PAD co-leaders would ask for protection from the government, preferring instead to rely on their own guards.