Two suspected insurgents were killed and a young Muslim girl was injured by a stray bullet when rangers and police clashed with three suspects in Pattani’s Yaring district early on Saturday, National Children’s Day.
Pol Capt Kachornsak Kuamanee, deputy inspector at the Yaring police station, said the incident began about 5am and officers are still involved in a standoff with the third suspect.
He said about 100 rangers and policemen were deployed to surround a house in Moo 3 village in Tambon Talo Kapo where three suspected insurgents were allegedly hiding.
When authorities arrived, people inside the house opened fire on them.
A ranger and a girl, Koiru Imbadeesan, 9, were injured in the gunfire and were rushed to Pattani Hospital.
The authorities continued to fight with the three people throughout the morning. They say two of the suspects were shot dead while the third suspect continues to fire at them.
Kachornsak said authorities would invite a local spiritual leader to talk to the suspect to persuade him to give up his arms.
