Published on April 28, 2004 - More than 120 people were killed when police and soldiers fought machete-wielding, apparently suicidal young militants who launched simultaneous predawn raids on security outposts and other spots in three southernmost provinces early this morning.

It is the bloodiest day yet in the Muslimdominated south which has been plagued by violence since January.

Most of the casualties in the clashes in Songkhla, Yala and Pattani were suspected militants. At least five policemen were killed.

Armed with machete and a few assault rifles, launched simultaneous predawn raids on police on several outposts and one police station in the three provinces in a militarystyle operation that officials said looked more like a suicide mission.

“Many had little more than machete in their hands. It was like a death wish. This is scary,” said one intelligence officer, adding that there is real concern that the next attack could be some sort of suicide mission.

The suspected Islamic fighters, most of them teenagers, stormed more than 15 police bases, village defence volunteer posts and district offices in Yala, Pattani and Songkhla, said Lt. Gen. Proong Bunphandung, the chief of police for the south.

However, security forces _ tipped in advance about the highly coordinated attack _ were waiting for the poorly armed assailants, most of whom carried only machetes while some had guns, Proong said.

``Most of the dead insurgent are youths of ages ranging from 15 to 20, but two of the leaders are aged about 50 and 60,'' Proong said.

A major standoff was unfolding in Pattani. Hours after the violence erupted about a dozen armed fighters had taken over the Kruesie Mosque in the province. Government forces were preparing to fire tear gas. There were also reports of innocent people being taken hostage inside the mosque.

Security was tightened along the border with neighboring Malaysia, which has denied allegations of harboring militants in the past.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said the raids were linked to a Jan. 4 attack on a military camp in nearby Narathiwat province. But he denied the attackers had connections to international terrorists.

Thaksin said relatives of dead or injured attackers involved in today’s operations will be investigated.

He said the attackers intended ``to rob guns from defence volunteers and district offices, but our troops were well prepared for that.''

He said some attackers arrived at target points in brand new motorcycles, suggesting they “got financial support from influential figures, including politicians and drug gangsters.