CNN just reported 24 dead. Things are really heating up.
Suspected Islamic militants clashed with police in several gunbattles in southern Thailand Wednesday, leaving at least 12 gunmen and one officer dead, officials said. The clashes erupted after militants launched simultaneous attacks on police bases and checkpoints in several districts of Yala and Pattani provinces, police Maj. Gen. Thani Thawisri told The Associated Press. Officials said the fighting was the heaviest so far this year in the region, which has been plagued by violence blamed on the militants. Thani said several groups of insurgents opened fire at police outposts around dawn, triggering gunbattles, the worst of which left eight militants dead in Banangstar district of Yala province. He said two more insurgents were killed in Yarang district of Yala and two in Nongik district of Pattani province. One policeman was killed and four injured in Kruesie district of Pattani, he said. Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat are Islam's bloody border the only Muslim majority provinces in predominantly Buddhist Thailand. Muslims there have long complained of discrimination in jobs and education. |