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| Southeast Asia |
| Terrorist plots foiled in southern Thailand |
| 2007-10-07 |
| Security forces have foiled a suspected terrorist plot to wreak havoc in Hat Yai, the commercial capital of Songkhla province, recovering 17 bombs in the city yesterday before they could be detonated. A bomb disposal unit discovered the 17 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) hidden in two locations in the city. A security source said five bombs were discovered near a fence of the Prince of Songkhla University on Poonakan road. Explosives experts said the detonation cords were missing and would have probably been attached only shortly before an attack. Another 12 bombs were discovered outside a restaurant belonging to the navy in downtown Hat Yai. All the bombs were home-made and authorities believe they were destined to be planted at various places in the commercial hub of Hat Yai. The source said the low-pressure bombs were apparently intended to cause havoc rather than deaths. They were similar to a device that exploded near the army headquarters in Bangkok last week, which injured two bomb disposal officers. On Sept 22, security forces came across five bombs at a public park in Hat Yai. That discovery, coupled with intelligence warnings of possible attacks in the once-bustling tourist city of Hat Yai, has spurred the authorities into beefing up security patrols in the area. Further south in Narathiwat, around 10 suspected insurgents, including at least two women, were rounded up in Yi-ngo district. The security sweep was prompted by a tip-off about possible insurgent hideouts in Ban Ton Tan, Ban Lubopara and Ban Yue Loh in the district. One of those captured in the raid, Waesama-ae Mahadung, 35, is wanted on an arrest warrant. He was found with Molotov cocktails, a BB gun and equipment for producing kratom cocktail drinks, an illegal stimulant. The raid team also captured Nureeda Laening, 20, seizing 29 AKA rifle bullets, some photos of Ms Nureeda in soldier uniforms and gun cleaning oil. Police did not say what she had been charged with. Bomb making materials, wires, communication radios, remote controls, mobile phones, electronic circuits and fake automobile registration plates were also taken from one of the raided houses. The owner of the house had fled, police said. Eight other suspects were arrested on drug possession charges. One of them was named as Noyaneesa Bumaekalee, wanted on an arrest warrant. She was charged with possession of five methamphetamine tablets with intent to consume. Mr Waesama-ae and Ms Nureeda were sent to Ingkhayuthboriharn military camp in neighbouring Pattani for questioning while the other eight suspects were placed in police custody. |
| Posted by:ryuge |