PATTANI — Gunmen wearing Muslim women’s clothing opened fire at a policeman's car as he arrived at a school with his family on Monday afternoon, killing his wife and injuring their newborn child.
His wife was a teacher at the school and had taken maternity leave to give birth to their latest child.
The attack occurred outside Prasanwittayamulniti School in Yarang district at 3.30pm on Monday. The four gunmen were wearing Muslim women's attire with head scarves and arrived at the school on two motorcycles.
They opened fire on the car driven by Pol Sen Sgt Maj Adul Hayeesulong, 38, of Yaring police station. He had arrived at the school to pick up other children.
Also in his car was his son, who is a student at Prasanwittayamulniti School, and his 35-year-old wife, Fatimoh Yango, who was holding their two-month-old baby. The woman was shot dead.
The baby girl survived after a bullet that pierced her mother's back struck only the baby's napkin. The infant suffered bruising and was treated at Pattani Hospital in Muang district.
A previous report said the child had succumbed to her injuries.
Pol Sen Sgt Maj Adul was wounded and was admitted to Pattani Hospital.
Pol Sen Sgt Maj Adul said on Tuesday that he had taken precautions, and normally his wife took their children to and from school.
On Monday, he drove his wife’s car because she was on maternity leave. He believed wrongdoers had followed him for some time and realised he was driving her vehicle.
The shooting occurred as the car approached the school. After two gunshots, his wife asked him what had happened. He then drove into the school.
When he parked, he found his wife unconscious in the back seat. He moved away from the car, hoping to draw any attackers away from the vehicle where his wife and two children were seated.
Pol Sen Sgt Maj Adul said the scene was chaotic, with many parents dressed similarly crowding the school to pick up children, so he could not clearly see the gunmen.
He said through tears that the loss was tremendous, but he would remain strong to care for his four children.
The officer was shot in both legs and was now in stable condition. His wife was shot in the head and back.
The Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) condemned the attack as inhumane. The police investigation was continuing.
