NARATHIWAT, July 23 — Five Thai rangers were killed, while six civilians, including a three-year-old girl, were injured in an armed attack on a security checkpoint in Narathiwat, southern Thailand, on Wednesday night.
Fourth Army Region Commander and Director of the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) Region 4, Lieutenant General Norathip Phoyanok, said the attack occurred at approximately 6.45 pm local time at the 4509 Ranger Company checkpoint on Sami Hill in Rangae District.
“Initial investigations revealed that more than six masked suspects dressed in dark clothing attacked the checkpoint by opening fire and throwing pipe bombs at the security forces,” he told reporters after visiting the scene on Thursday.
Norathip said the group of suspects was believed to have fled the scene in a black four-wheel-drive vehicle.
“The attack killed five rangers at the scene, while six civilians, including a three-year-old child and an elderly person, were injured,” he said.
Meanwhile, Narathiwat Governor Boonchuai Hormyamyen has ordered security forces—comprising the police, military, and local administration—to tighten security along the Malaysia-Thailand border and across twelve districts in Narathiwat following an increase in violent incidents in the region.
He said authorities have also cordoned off the scene to allow forensic examinations and evidence collection to be carried out, while investigations to identify the masterminds behind the attack are still ongoing.
