Pol Capt Abdulhadee Yuerae, 52, a deputy inspector at the Mayo police station in Pattani, was attacked around 8:20 p.m. while riding his motorcycle home after evening prayers at a mosque in tambon Pitumudee, according to Pol Col Warin Wanthongchai, the superintendent of Yarang police station.
Two men on a motorcycle approached from behind, and the pillion rider opened fire without warning. Pol Capt Abdulhadee lost control of his bike and crashed off the road.
The first bullet struck his mobile phone, which was in his shirt pocket, and the second shot hit him in the cheek. Despite the injuries, Pol Capt Abdulhadee managed to draw his weapon and fired three shots in return. One of the attackers was believed to have been hit. The two assailants quickly fled the scene.
A bystander assisted the injured officer and took him to Yarang Hospital.
Investigators found five spent bullet casings at the scene. Pol Col Warin stated that police were following up with local hospitals, as the injured attacker may seek medical treatment. Authorities are also reviewing surveillance footage from nearby cameras to track the suspects’ escape route.
This attack marks the third recent incident targeting police officers returning from mosques in the deep South. The most recent case involved a Muslim prayer leader, a retired police officer, who was shot and killed in front of his home after returning from a mosque in Muang district, Yala.
(Photo: Abdullah Benjakat)
