Six Thai Soldiers Killed by Bomb in Restive South

A file photo showing Thai Army investigators at the site of a bomb detonation in the southern city of Pattani, Thailand-AFP photo.

Pattani, 26 Ramadan 1438/21 June 2017 (MINA) – Six Thai soldiers were killed and four injured when a roadside bomb ripped their patrol truck apart in the insurgency-plagued south on Monday, bbcrecordlondon.com quoted police as saying.

The bomb hit the pick-up as it was carrying ten soldiers along a dirt road in Pattani province, leaving a pile of rubble and twisted car parts.

“The roadside bomb exploded before noon, killing six and injuring four,” said Preuk Liengsuk, the police chief of Thung Yang Daeng district.

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The Muslim-majority border region has been racked by violence for over a decade as ethnic Malay insurgents battle the government of Buddhist-majority Thailand for more autonomy.

Frequent shooting and bomb attacks have claimed more than 6,800 lives since 2004, with both sides accused of rights abuses and atrocities.

Thailand’s ruling junta has tried to restart peace talks with the Muslim militants since its 2014 power grab.

But the negotiations have failed to gain traction and regular attacks continue across the region. (T/R)S5/RS1)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA