United News of Bangladesh

Thai security forces have launched a search for those behind a deadly attack in the country's conflict-hit southern region that left five soldiers dead and injured several civilians. According to the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC), around 10 armed attackers opened fire and hurled pipe bombs at soldiers manning a security checkpoint near a residential area in Narathiwat province on Wednesday evening before escaping. The attack also injured six civilians, including a 10-year-old boy who remains in hospital in stable condition. Authorities released photographs of the suspected attackers, who were dressed in black clothing and hats and were seen riding in the back of a black pickup truck. Security officials later found the vehicle abandoned and set on fire about 21 kilometres from the attack site. The attackers also took three AK-47 rifles, three bulletproof vests and three mobile phones belonging to the soldiers, officials said. Narathiwat, along with neighbouring Yala and Pattani provinces, has a Muslim-majority population in predominantly Buddhist Thailand. The three southern provinces have been affected by a long-running separatist insurgency since 2004, which has claimed thousands of lives. Many Muslims in the region have long complained of discrimination and unequal treatment, while security crackdowns have often intensified tensions. Although the violence has declined compared with previous years, sporadic attacks continue. In a Facebook post, ISOC Region 4, which oversees security operations in southern Thailand, said authorities would speed up the investigation and make every effort to arrest those responsible. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul strongly condemned the incident, describing it as a terrorist attack that deliberately targeted government personnel and posed a serious threat to national security, government spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek said. Video footage aired by Thai PBS showed that nearby homes and properties were also damaged in the attack. One house suffered damage to its roof, doors and windows, while a motorcycle parked outside was destroyed. Another home had multiple bullet holes in its front metal gate.