Four Suspected Separatist Group Members Killed, 22 Detained In Pattani

PATTANI, March 27 (Bernama) -- Four suspected separatist group members in southern Thailand were killed and 22 others were detained after a battle here Thursday evening. The dead were Suhaimee Sengleak, 32, Khalid Samen, 24, Saddam Wanu, 24, and Madaree Merah, 23. Tung-yang-dang District Police chief, Pol. Col. Kovit Wattanchotuk said 100 soldiers and police surrounded an incompleted house in Kampung Tokcud, Mukim Piten, Tung-yang-deng district, here in the incident at 6.30pm. The operation was carried out after an intelligence report was received that more than 20 men were holding a meeting in the house, he said when contacted. He said the suspects ran toward a hill behind the house and opened fire when they realised the presence of the security forces. He said the security forces also shot at them and ordered them to surrender but they continued to shoot. "There was a 30-minute exchange between the two sides after which four suspects were found dead with firearms and hand grenades found on them," he said. Twenty-two suspects believed involved with the separatists, were also detained to help in investigation and were taken to the army detention centre at Task Force 25 Pattani, he said. Police believed the suspects were planning an attack in Tung-Yang-Dang but their plan was thwarted by the security forces, he added. -- BERNAMA