Two rangers killed, 4 wounded in Pattani ambush

Soldiers and local officials in discussion at the scene where gunmen shot dead two paramilitary rangers and wounded another four in an ambush in Pattani’s Nong Chick on Tuesday night. (Photo by Abdulloh Benjakat)

PATTANI: Two patrolling paramilitary rangers were killed and four others wounded when they were ambushed in Nong Chik district on Tuesday night.

The two fallen servicemen were identified as Suchart Kongsuk and Thanadet Chaimusik, attached to Ranger Forces Company 4303. 

The injured are Private 1st Class Uthai Prathumwan, Issarapong Kaewraksa, Anirut Wang-eaid and Warakon Nimmak, all from the same company. 

Police were alerted to the attack in Ban Donna of Tambon Bang Khao about 9.45 pm on Tuesday. 

The six men were on patrol on three motorcycles when gunmen hiding in roadside bushes opened fire at them, killing two servicemen instantly, officials said. The other four were wounded and rushed to Nong Chik hospital. 

Nong Chik district chief Ake Yang-apai Na Songkhla led a team of army and local officers to inspect the scene about 10pm. They also discussed plans to track down the perpetrators. 

It remained unclear how many attackers were involved and what types of firearms they used. The investigation is continuing. 

A local source said one of the slain rangers, Suchart, had been wounded before, in a bombing in the far South on Jan 10. He was hit in the head by shrapnel, but he later fully recovered.