IEDs: Militants’ choice of weapon against security forces
Two suspects have been held in military custody for alleged involvement in bombing incidents in Pattani’s Kok Pho district during October 20-21.
One of the suspects was identified as Mahama Tahae, 41, a religious teacher of a private school in Yarang district. He was held at his house in Tambon Bana and then taken to the interrogation centre at the Inkayut Boriharn barrak in Nong Chik district by virtue of the martial law.
Mahama was seen in a video footage from CCTV system at Na Prado municipal fresh market shortly before bomb explosions.
The second suspect was identified as Marawee Saree. He was held in custody by security forces at his house in Tambon Kuan Naree, Kok Pho district, and subsequently taken to a paramilitary ranger’s base for questioning.
Regarding the investigation into the bomb blast which killed a defence volunteer, Mr Isma-ae Cheehamat, in his pick-up truck in Tambon Jaeha, Tak Bai district of Narathiwat on October 20, police said that an improvised explosive device was placed under the victim’s vehicle by suspected militants and remotely detonated.
Police said that two days before the fatal bomb explosion, the victim’s wife said she saw her husband was being followed by strangers driving a car.
Pol Lt-Gen Suchart Thirasawasdi, the assistant police chief, went to Tak Bai district on Thursday to inspect the scene of the explosion and the spot where the victim parked his pick-up truck and where it was believed that the IED was planted under the vehicle.
Police also suspected that the bombers might be linked to Abdulrohim Mama, a suspected militant shot dead three years ago by Isma-ae, the volunteer.
A 29-kg IED was found near an irrigation canal in Tak Bai on Thursday and destroyed by bomb disposal squad.
The trick used by suspected militants to plant bombs underneath the cars of their targets in order to kill or maim them like the one used against Isma-ae Cheehamat who was killed had been used before at least seven times since 2005, according to Isranews.
There were two similar incidents in 2005; once in 2006, twice in 2007 but one of them was defused; twice in 2009 and they were both successfully defused.
There were altogether 3,457 bombing incidents since 2004. During the past two months from July 29 to September 19 this year, there were 65 bombing incidents.
Police said that the roadside bomb which blew up an armoured car killing two rangers and wounding five others in Pattani’s Sai Buri district on October 19 was estimated to weigh between 80-90 kgs and it was remotely activated with a transmitter.
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Caption : The IED was planted under the vehicle in the southernmost of Thailand.