Woman killed, 2 injured in incidents in Pattani and Narathiwat

A Muslim woman was shot dead and another was seriously wounded by a gunman, riding pillion on a motorcycle, in Thung Yang Dang district of Pattani province yesterday.

An initial police report said the two women were chatting in front of a house in Paku sub-district when the gunshots rang out.

According to eyewitness accounts, the two male perpetrators wore loose female clothing, to conceal their gender.

The two victims were rushed to the district hospital, but one of them, called Nureesan, was pronounced dead upon arrival, while the other was admitted for further treatment.

Police suspect that the victims were either shot by insurgents or as the result of a personal conflict.

Also this morning, in neighbouring Narathiwat province, a paramilitary ranger was seriously injured in an explosion, as he was approaching a shelter near a deserted house in a village in Bacho district on Monday morning.

The ranger was part of a nine-man team on a routine patrol, providing protection to teachers travelling from to school.

Police said insurgents, who were believed to be lying in wait behind thick bushes near the shelter, detonated the IED as the ranger approached the shelter.