Narathiwat: A policeman was killed and five colleagues injured in an explosion when their pickup truck drove past a roadside bomb in Bacho district on Monday, local authorities said yesterday.
The policemen, from Palu Kasamoh station, were returning from an operation when the incident occurred about 10.30pm on Phetkasem Highway in Ban Batu village of tambon Palu Kasamoh.
The explosive, which was in a cooking gas cylinder weighing about 20kg, was hidden beside the road and was detonated remotely.
The victims were rushed to Bacho Hospital before they were transferred to Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra Hospital in Muang district.
Pol Sgt Yutthapong Nuikaeo, the driver, was later pronounced dead due to a shrapnel wound to the head. The five injured policemen included a deputy inspector-general and four non-commissioned officers.
Security authorities waited until yesterday morning to examine the scene to avoid being attacked at night.
Scattered pieces of the explosive device were found at the blast scene.
The pickup truck had two burst rear tyres, a shattered windscreen, shrapnel holes on its left side and bloodstains on the tray bed.
The six-man team was returning from an operation to apprehend highway motorcycle racers when the bomb attack took place.
Police believe the attack was the work of militant insurgents. An investigation is under way.
