Border patrol policeman killed in clash with insurgents in Pattani

2026-03-16 - 08:53

PATTANI — A border patrol policeman was killed and a suspected insurgent shot dead during a gun battle in Nong Chik district of southern Pattani on Sunday morning, security officials said. Maj. Gen. Narong Tantisitthiporn, commander of the Pattani Task Force, said authorities received a report at about 05:30 that suspicious individuals believed to be insurgents were hiding in a forest behind a village in Moo 6, Ban Pakalue Song, Tuiyong subdistrict. Security forces moved to surround the area and coordinated with local leaders to attempt negotiations. At about 09:30, as officers closed in on a suspected house, the suspects opened fire with military-grade weapons, forcing the officers to take cover and return fire. The gunmen then fled into a rubber plantation behind the village, triggering a firefight that lasted about 10 minutes. After the shooting subsided, police found that Pol. Sgt. Maj. Warathep Srisuwanchana of Border Patrol Police Company 43 had been critically wounded by a gunshot to the forehead. He was rushed to Pattani Hospital but later died from severe blood loss. Authorities subsequently deployed a helicopter from the Anothai Task Force to conduct aerial surveillance while ground forces continued to surround the forest area. Suspects hiding in the plantation intermittently fired at officers, leading to further exchanges of gunfire and several explosions. Armoured vehicles were brought forward to support the operation. By about 11:30, after the situation was brought under control, troops used a military excavator to clear parts of the area before advancing to inspect the site. Officers discovered the body of a male suspect, believed to be around 30 years old, lying in tall grass inside the rubber plantation. He was dressed in black, and an M16 rifle fitted with a scope was found beside the body and seized as evidence. Preliminary investigations indicate that at least two suspects were involved, with one escaping. Authorities are continuing to track the fugitive. Security officials believe the group may be linked to the operational network of an insurgent known as “Wae Aree,” believed to be active in Yarang district. The same group was reportedly involved in a clash with security forces in Tha Kamcham subdistrict on 11 March, when one suspect was killed and two firearms — an M16 rifle and a .38 handgun — were seized. Authorities suspect the group had been preparing attacks in retaliation against security forces and had been moving improvised explosive devices in the area. Security operations have since been intensified as investigators work to identify and apprehend the remaining suspects.