Security forces are intensifying searches in three districts in Narathiwat following the abduction and murder of two policemen in Cho Airong district on Tuesday night, local security sources said on Thursday.
Troops are conducting cordon and search operations in five spots in Cho Airong, Sungai Padi, and Tak Bai to apply pressure on militants suspected of being involved in the killings of Pol Cpl Naret Iedthong, 31, and Pol Cpl Ruswaidee Samae, 30.
The pair, attached to Cho Airong police station, were abducted at gunpoint from a local tea shop in the evening and their bodies found dumped hours later in a ditch in tambon Bukit, about 200 metres from the shop.
The assailants took an M16 rifle and two 9mm pistols from the slain policemen and set ablaze a pickup truck belonging to one of the victims.
The vehicle was used in the abduction and found burnt in nearby Tak Bai district, about one kilometre from the border.
According to security sources, those involved in the abduction and murder of the policemen are allegedly linked to a militant group led by Ayi Yama, who is said to be active in two districts of Cho Airong and Rangae.
There are at least 30 men involved in the attack and some might have fled across the border via Sungai Kolok River, the sources said.
Pol Maj Gen Somdul Iam-ake, commander of Narathiwat Task Force, has instructed border defence officers to step up patrols along the border and closely examine people travelllng across it.
National police chief Chakthip Chaijinda said on Thursday the attack could be the work of those behind the bomb attacks on Samila beach in Songkhla's Muang district late last year.
He said police can narrow down the suspects by looking at the pattern of the attacks and firearms and compare them with the bombing attack.
