Militants torch a cargo truck in Yala, kill defence volunteer in Pattani

Security forces closed Highway 410 yesterday, between Yala and Betong district to all in-bound and out-bound traffic, so forensic officers could search for evidence around a ten-wheel cargo truck, which was stopped by a group of armed men in military fatigues and torched.

The assailants, suspected to be Islamic militants, stopped the truck near a bridge in Ban Klong Nam Chun village in Bannang Sata district of Yala at about 11.10am.

The armed men ordered the drive and his wife to disembark as they searched the vehicle, but the couple managed to flee the scene and sought help from a security unit.

Eventually, the truck and its cargo were set ablaze by the militants before they left.

A combined force of army, police and local officials found that the truck, belonging to Betong-Sanyajai Company in Betong district, was burned out.

The Forward Command of the Fourth Army Region has issued a notification to all motorists to avoid Highway 410 between Bannang Sata and Tharn To districts, while officials and workers try to remove the wreckage and burned goods from the road.

Motorists who want to travel to Betong have been advised to use a detour route through Ban Ka Sod towards the Bang Lang Dam into Than To district.

Meanwhile, in Yarang district of Pattani province this morning, a defence volunteer was shot dead by suspected militants as he was heading for home on a motorcycle, after having dropped off his son at a school in the district.

The Forward Command of the Fourth Army region has issued a statement expressing condolences to family of the volunteer, identified as Abdulloh Yama. It also condemned the militants for the use of violence against peace-keeping officials and for threatening public safety.