INSURGENTS in southern Pattani province set off an improvised explosive device just as a police vehicle carrying 10 policemen was passing a road late last night injuring eight of them with all but one slightly so, TV Channel 7 said this evening (Nov. 20).
Security teams closed Bang Kao – Pa Thung road in Bang Kao subdistrict, Sai Buri district, after the blast at 10.37 p.m.with a forensic and Explosive Ordnance Disposal team then coming in to gather evidence.
Investigation revealed that the insurgents had placed the approximately 20-kilogramme improvised explosive device at the base of an electricity pole and detonated it by radio signal.
The driver’s side of the vehicle was hit by shrapnel in many places with the glass windows also having smashed and shards scattered within.
Investigators said the insurgents intended to kill the policemen during the last 10 days of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
They are now going through surveillance camera clips and checking the escape routes in tracking down these insurgents while also accelerating undercover investigation of their movement in this area.
Pol. Col. Chalermchai Petchkas, superintendent of Saiburi police station, told his men to be more careful particularly when patrolling the area and increase the number of checkpoints.
CAPTION:
The scene of the bombing in Pattani last night. Photo: TV Channel 7
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