Islamist daring raid on army camp

Raiders seize arms cache

Assault leaves 4 dead, 13 troops wounded

• Published: 21/01/2011 at 12:00 AM
• Newspaper section: News

Heavily armed troops and helicopters are combing a mountainous area in Narathiwat's Rangae district in pursuit of insurgents who attacked an army outpost and made off with a large number of weapons.

A soldier stands guard at the entrance of a military camp in Rangae district of Narathiwat yesterday following a raid on the camp by armed rebels the previous night. Four Thai soldiers were killed and 13 others injured when about 50 militants attacked the base.

Four soldiers were killed and 13 were wounded in the deadly assault on Ror15121 unit army outpost in Ban Marue Botok on Wednesday night.
The massive manhunt yesterday involved 300 troops, local authorities and sniffer dogs who searched Tawe mountain where the militants were believed to be hiding.
Trails of blood found 500 metres from the outpost suggested several of the attackers had been wounded in the 30-minute gunbattle and were taking shelter on the mountain.
Fourth Army commander Udomchai Thammasarorat supervised the search operation.
Security forces also searched nearby villages for clues and it was reported that five villagers were taken in for questioning. Authorities are expected to seek arrest warrants in coming days.
Army commander-in-chief Prayuth Chan-ocha said yesterday Tawe mountain was the focus of the massive manhunt.
"Intelligence reports indicate the suspected hideout of the militants is in the area," Gen Prayuth said. "But so far security forces haven't located it."
The raid is being described as one of the best planned attacks on a military base since the Jan 4, 2004, assault on a military camp in Cho Airong district of Narathiwat in which the attackers made off with a huge amount of firearms.
Some of those involved in that early attack are believed to have taken part in this latest raid as the firearms used on Wednesday night were among those stolen in previous militant actions.
The attackers on Wednesday made off with about 60 guns including M16 rifles and handguns and 4,000 rounds of ammunition. Among the four soldiers killed in the assault were the unit commander, Capt Krit Khampirayan. Two of the 13 wounded are in critical condition.
The power to the base was cut off before the assault, which opened on the rear of the camp. The troops called for back-up but reinforcements were hindered by felled trees and spikes spread across the access roads by the mililtants. A helicopter had to be called in to fly in the reinforcements.
More than 700 spent shells were collected from the scene yesterday. The weapons used included M16s, M60s, AK automatic rifles, shotguns and handguns.
The spokesman for the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) Region 4, Col Parinya Chaidilok, said the attack appeared to be well-timed. He said troops at the outpost were not on full alert as they were at dinner.
Isoc Region 4 believes the raid had three objectives, a source said.
It was intended to counter the government's effective campaign to win the hearts and minds of the southern people, to demoralise the authorities following the lifting of the state of emergency in Pattani's Mae Lan district and to provoke the use of force in the handling of the insurgency.
The director of the non-governmental South Watch Centre, academic Srisompop Jitpiromsri, said there might be a reduction in militant attacks in the South but each could be expected to be more violent.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said the assault might have been aimed at the Organisation of Islamic Committee. He said statistics suggested an increase in insurgent activities when an OIC meeting was drawing near.
Mr Abhisit insisted the incident would not affect the government's plan to lift the state of emergency in more districts.
He also said the authorities were investigating the possibility that the insurgents had the help of soldiers.
Gen Prayuth played down speculation the situation in the South would grow more violent in the wake of the attack.
He also insisted the military would observe the law in handling the insurgent violence but noted that extra-tight measures would be needed in some areas.
Lt Gen Udomchai yesterday represented the premier and the army chief in extending condolences and presenting medals to the families of the deceased.
About 1,000 local people and government officials from the area joined the bathing rites at Wat Bang Nara in Muang district. The bodies of the victims will be returned to their home towns today.
Bangkok Post