4 January 2004

Southern separatists increase attacks, martial law imposed in three border provinces

Martial law was imposed on the three southernmost provinces of Narathiwat, Yala and Pattani after suspected ethnic Malay Muslim insurgents killed four soldiers in a raid on an army arsenal.

The rebels stole hundreds of assault rifles and other weapons. At least 17 schools and three police stations were also torched in a wave of simultaneous attacks, mostly in Narathiwat. More rebels arrived at Narathiwat Ratchanakarin military camp in a pick-up truck, blasted bullets at everyone they saw and, after their raid, scattered roads with bent nails and tree trunks to block their pursuers.

The attacks were ‘beyond imagination’, said Fourth Army commander, Lt Gen Pongsak Ekbannasingh. ‘We never thought they would be so fast, so intense.’

In March, after 39 fresh simultaneous arson attacks, Pongsak was sacked. Arrest warrants were also issued for a ruling Thai Rak Thai member of parliament, Najmuddin Umar, and eight others for allegedly plotting the January raid.

4 January 2004

Southern separatists increase attacks, martial law imposed in three border provinces

Martial law was imposed on the three southernmost provinces of Narathiwat, Yala and Pattani after suspected ethnic Malay Muslim insurgents killed four soldiers in a raid on an army arsenal.

The rebels stole hundreds of assault rifles and other weapons. At least 17 schools and three police stations were also torched in a wave of simultaneous attacks, mostly in Narathiwat. More rebels arrived at Narathiwat Ratchanakarin military camp in a pick-up truck, blasted bullets at everyone they saw and, after their raid, scattered roads with bent nails and tree trunks to block their pursuers.

The attacks were ‘beyond imagination’, said Fourth Army commander, Lt Gen Pongsak Ekbannasingh. ‘We never thought they would be so fast, so intense.’

In March, after 39 fresh simultaneous arson attacks, Pongsak was sacked. Arrest warrants were also issued for a ruling Thai Rak Thai member of parliament, Najmuddin Umar, and eight others for allegedly plotting the January raid.