Bomb explodes in front of a mosque in Narathiwat

An improvised explosive device, planted underneath a police patrol car parked in front of a mosque in Waeng district of Narathiwat, was detonated just as an explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) unit was about to examine it.

The incident occurred shortly before 1pm today in front of the Buketa mosque.

Buketa police were alerted by residents who had witnessed two men place something beneath a police patrol car in front of the mosque and flee on a motorcycle.

Police rushed to the scene and immediately cordoned off the area around the vehicle, before the arrival of an EOD unit. As the EOD team approached the suspect item, however, it exploded.

The vehicle was severely damaged, but no one was injured.