NARATHIWAT: Two insurgents dressed like women hurled a pipe bomb at the living quarters of a police protection unit at a village in Yi-ngo district late on Wednesday morning.
The attack at Subotasae village was reported around 10.30am. The attack caused no injuries, but two NCOs had a close call.
Police, soldiers and bomb disposal officers rushed to the scene found debris from the pipe bomb, estimated to weigh about 1kg, scattered around the entrance of the living quarters. The wall was riddled with shrapnel holes.
Pol Sgt Kritsadakorn Kanchak, of Yi-ngo police station, said he and Pol Cpl Maruwan Jaenu were just leaving to set up a temporary checkpoint at a nearby market. Two people wearing Muslim women’s clothing arrived on a motorcycle and the pillion rider threw an object towards the living quarters, he said.
The object landed near a concrete post, and he saw it was a pipe with smoke coming out of it. He and his colleague were on foot and only about 3 metres away. They fled out onto the road. Less than 10 seconds later, the pipe exploded.
They fired four shots at the two attackers, but they still got away. He reported the attack over police radio, asking other units to stop the fleeing motorcycle.
Pol Col Dulyaman Yaena, chief of Yi-ngo police, said recordings from security cameras along the escape route were being examined for clues to the bombers' whereabouts and identity, particularly the licence plates on the bike.
