Pattani convenience store attacked, two assailants detained after gunfight

Unrest continued in Pattani province last night when assailants attacked a convenience store in Mayo district, setting off an explosion and fire before fleeing the scene.

The incident took place at a 7-Eleven store in Ban Ta Bae village, Moo 3, in Langa subdistrict.

No one was injured although the store and an armoured vehicle used by security officers were damaged.

Witnesses said the assailants drove up in front of the store and ordered customers and employees out at gunpoint before placing an improvised explosive device and fuel inside the store.

A powerful explosion then occurred, setting the store on fire.

Shortly after the attack, police from Mayo police station encountered the assailants while rushing to the scene.

A gunfight broke out before the assailants fled.

The 42nd Ranger Task Force, which was deployed to assist, later detained two of the assailants.

Authorities are questioning the two detainees and gathering evidence to establish their links to the attack and determine whether they were involved in other incidents.

Officials said the attack was carried out in a manner similar to previous attacks in the southern border provinces, in which assailants arrived by vehicle, forced people out of convenience stores and used explosives and fuel to set the premises on fire.

The Internal Security Operations Command Region 4 Forward Command urged members of the public to report suspicious people, objects or unusual activity to its 24-hour hotline at 1341 or to local security units.