Suspected Muslim insurgents seized dozens of weapons in 30 coordinated attacks across southern Thailand, leaving six people dead, the military said.
By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Suspected Muslim insurgents seized dozens of weapons in 30 coordinated attacks across southern Thailand, leaving six people dead, the military said.
The nighttime attacks in the provinces of Narathiwat, Yala and Pattani along the Malaysian border took place over a period of about two hours late Wednesday, reported ITV television, citing military sources. Four villagers, including two village chiefs, and two insurgents, were killed.
"Initial reports show that the insurgents ... attacked at about 30 points in three provinces, and took away dozens of guns from the houses of the village chiefs and from the village defense volunteers," military spokesman Lt. Gen. Palangul told ITV.
The situation remained chaotic after the attacks ended as government forces attempted to hunt down the attackers, ITV reported.
More than 1,100 people have died in sectarian violence since an active separatist movement re-emerged in January last year in Thailand's southernmost, Muslim-majority provinces.