BANGKOK, Nov 18 (NNN-TNA) – Thailand’s Internal Security Operation Commander (ISOC), Region 4, yesterday reported that, soldiers discovered an insurgents’ camp and seized their belongings, following a clash with them in Thailand’s restive southern province of Pattani.
“The ISOC team dispatched two patrols from the 44th Ranger Regiment, to ensure safety at Sai Buri district, in Pattani Province was restored,” said Col. Vacharakorn Onngern, deputy spokesman of ISOC’s Region 4, adding that, a group of insurgents were reported to be active in the area, preventing villagers going out to tap their rubber trees.
“Yesterday morning, one of the patrols encountered five or six armed men, who opened fire at the patrols,” said Vacharakorn, “then after exchanging shots with the soldiers for about three minutes, the insurgents withdrew into a rubber plantation. The soldiers chased them and found their makeshift camp.”
The patrols then seized the insurgents’ food supplies, survival gear, a motorcycle and a bag containing metal spikes for use on roads to deter pursuit, the colonel said.
Vacharakorn said that, there were no casualties on both ends, as insurgents had retreated and escaped.
Thailand’s southern insurgency has been prevalent for 15 years.– NNN-TNA
