Five Special Ops. police injured in Pattani bombing

Five special operations police officers were injured in a roadside bomb attack in Mayo district in Pattani on Friday morning while returning from a security mission, authorities report.

The incident occurred at around 11.30am in Ban Khuan Yee, Village Moo 3, in the Pado sub-district of Mayo.

According to officials, an unknown number of insurgents detonated an improvised explosive device (IED), targeting a vehicle carrying officers from the Pattani Special Operations Unit 31.

The team was heading back to their base after completing a routine security checkpoint operation in the area.

The five officers wounded officers have been identified as:

- Pol. Sgt. Anuchit Boonchuay: Sustained multiple shrapnel wounds but remains conscious.

- Pol. Sgt. Boonyawat Kueseng: Suffered shrapnel injuries to his eyes.

- Pol. Sgt. Wisitphon Sridee: Suffered chest tightness.

- Pol. Sgt. Aphisit Choomee: Suffered chest tightness and tinnitus.

- Pol. Sgt. Sumit Yuso: Suffered chest tightness.

All the injured personnel were rushed to Mayo Hospital.

Following the attack, security forces cordoned off the area to allow explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) teams and forensic officers to inspect the scene and gather evidence in an attempt to track down the perpetrators.

The Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) Region 4 Forward Command has urged the public to report any suspicious activities or individuals in the area.

Information can be provided 24 hours a day via the ISOC hotline 1341 or to local task forces.