The court has issued arrest warrants for 11 people sought in connection to 10 bomb attacks, including those involving explosive-rigged bicycles, in Pattani last month.
The warrants were approved by the Pattani Provincial Court on Friday, according to security and administrative officers who held a press briefing at the 46th Military Circle in Pattani yesterday.
Pattani Special Task Force chief Maj Gen Jatuporn Klampasut and provincial police commander Piyawat Chalermsri also attended the event.
On Feb 11, several explosions took place across the districts of Yaring, Yarang and Sai Buri in Pattani. An investigation found that the perpetrators had either used bomb-strapped bicycles in the attacks or rode the bikes to plant explosive devices in the targeted sites. Nine people were wounded in the bomb attacks on that day.
Of the 11 suspects sought by authorities, six have been arrested, Maj Gen Jatuporn said. They are Mahamasopri Sengdamalae, Isma-ae Yaena, Muhama Yuso, Asman Kaza, Sulkifli Jarong and Manaser Japakiya.
Those who remain at large are Suhaimee Jarong, Kuma Lueba, Marudi Shima, Ahamad Itae and Fiadi Abdullahtae.
Maj Gen Jatuporn said that seven suspects held a meeting to plot the Feb 11 attacks in tambon Khao Tum of Yarang district beforehand. The group was reportedly led by Mr Mahamasopri.
An investigation is under way to track the money trail of a further network suspected of sponsoring the attacks.
Meanwhile, security officers found a suspicious bicycle on a road between Taluban municipality and Wasukri beach in Sai Buri district of Pattani at 7.30 am yesterday.
The area around the bike was cordoned off for inspection.
Explosive ordinance disposal officers found an explosive device in a water bottle attached to the bicycle, which was timed to explode at 8am. The bomb was defused successfully.
Meanwhile, Col Pramote Promin, spokesman for the 4th Region Forward Command of the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc), yesterday expressed scorn for a rights network operating in the deep South. On Friday, the group released a statement demanding authorities stop harassing and gagging people in the region.
The network called on the Isoc's 4th Region Forward Command to stop all forms of intimidation against locals, the media and rights activists.
Col Pramote said the statement undermines the authorities' credibility.
