Two suspected southern rebels were killed and one officer was injured in a clash in Sai Buri district of the southern province of Pattani today.
Acting on a tip, roughly 50 security force members hastily surrounded a rented residence in Trobon sub-district, where two alleged insurgents were concealed.
The officers then sought assistance from community leaders and Muslim religious leaders in the village to convince the two men inside the rented house to surrender and give up their weapons, but to no avail.
The security forces then advanced to drive the suspects out, only to be shot at, leading to a return of gunfire. One of the suspects was fatally shot, and the officers urged the other to surrender, but he refused.
Clashes resumed briefly. The officers then advanced and discovered the body of the second suspect. One officer was injured and was quickly taken to the district hospital for medical care.
