Narathiwat: An overnight manhunt is underway as "Big Ran," a high-ranking police officer, urgently flies to Narathiwat to command a search for two gunmen responsible for the fatal shooting of two police officers and the injury of four others in Tak Bai.
According to Thai News Agency, Pol. Gen. Samran Nualma, Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police, swiftly arrived at the scene to address the incident where assailants employed M16 assault rifles to ambush a police investigation team from Tak Bai Police Station. The attack occurred near a hut in a palm plantation in Phai Wan Subdistrict, Tak Bai District, Narathiwat Province, resulting in two fatalities and four injuries among the officers.
Pol. Gen. Samran convened a meeting with Pol. Lt. Gen. Piyawat Chalermsri, Commander of Provincial Police Region 9, and other senior officers to devise a strategy for the manhunt. The plan centered on surrounding and pressuring the palm plantation, suspected to be the hiding spot of the attackers. Following the meeting, Pol. Gen. Samran visited the site, requesting assistance from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, including mobile floodlight units and a helicopter for aerial reconnaissance. Despite challenging conditions due to darkness and the vast terrain, the operation intensified overnight and continued into the morning.
Authorities initially suspect that the gunmen are linked to a group involved in previous attacks, including a car bomb incident at the old Tan Yong Police Station and the bombing of a pickup truck belonging to a Suai Go-lok volunteer defense force officer on June 29th.
Two police officers, Sergeant Major Hamran Ha, 34, and Police Corporal Witthaya Chaiphromkaew, 38, lost their lives in the attack. Sergeant Major Hamran has been buried following Islamic rites, while Police Corporal Witthaya's funeral is scheduled for 3:00 PM today at Wat Napham (Wat Mai) in Phron Subdistrict, Tak Bai District.
The injured officers are Police Sergeant Tritat Kulsanthawashiri, 26, with head injuries; Police Corporal Wannuchit Saekho, 32, with leg injuries; Police Lieutenant Kittipong Srikhum, 57, with torso injuries; and Police Corporal Pannakit Srinakitja, 35, with arm abrasions.
The Royal Thai Police has expressed condolences to the families of the deceased officers and pledged to provide full welfare support. The family of Police Sergeant Major Witthaya will receive 3,278,560 baht, while Police Corporal Amran's family will receive 3,079,130 baht. Both officers will also receive merit bonuses, salary increases, and posthumous promotions to Police Major General.
For the injured officers, Police Sergeant Wannuchit and Police Corporal Traithos received initial benefits of 272,000 baht, while Police Lieutenant Kittipong and Police Sergeant Pannakit received 32,000 baht. The Royal Thai Police assures continued welfare and benefits for all affected officers.