PATTANI: A leading member of an insurgent group operating in Narathiwat province was killed in an exchange of gunfire with soldiers at a house he was using as a hideout in Kapho district of Pattani early on Wednesday morning.
The house in tambon Karubee was targeted and surrounded by a combined team of paramilitary rangers and security officers led by Pattani Task Force commander Maj Gen Jatuporn Klampasut.
They were acting on information it was used as a safe house by insurgents.
They spotted Sulaiman Muhama, who was wanted on a court warrant issued by the Narathiwat provincial court in a security case, inside the house. As they moved in to arrest him, Sulaiman opened fire. In the following exchange of shots Sulaiman was killed.
Sulaiman was known among insurgents as "Porsu" and was a leader at operations level of a group operating in Rueso district of Narathiwat.
An AK47 assault rifle, magazine and cartridges were found at the scene of the shooting.
Authorities said Sulaiman was held responsible for a string of violent attacks in the deep South.
Lt Gen Piyawat Nakwanit, commander of the 4th Army Region, and Pol Col Sayudee Katae, chief of Kapho police station, inspected the scene of the clash around 9am on Wednesday.
The two owners of the house were detained for interrogation to find out whether they had any involvement in the insurgency.
They were relatives of Sulaiman, police said.
Security has since been increased in the three southernmost border provinces to deter possible retaliation by his followers and sympathisers.
