Security officials arrested four men thought to be involved in the failed terrorist militant attack on a marine base in Narathiwat province Thursday. The arrest came amid warnings that the death of 16 terrorists insurgents killed in the bungled attack would encourage younger Muslims to join the rebel ranks.
Three of the suspects were nabbed while traveling in a pickup truck in Rueso district after police noticed bloodstains on the vehicle's left door. The men were identified as Fader Jaema, Aleeya Latae, and Muhammad Ghadafi Jaena. Another man was arrested while receiving treatment for a bullet wound at the hospital.
Officials are investigating whether they helped other terrorists militants escape after the marine base attack.
Sixteen of about 50 armed terrorists insurgents wearing military uniforms were gunned down in a bloodbath when they tried to storm the base early on Wednesday morning but were surprised by a counter-attack by the marines.
Experts on the far South voiced concern Thursday the Muslim terrorists militants could stir up more violence in reprisals for the deaths of their colleagues.| Oh goody! Concern trolls! |
Political scientist Panitan Wattanayagorn, of Chulalongkorn University, said the militant assault was a dangerous sign terrorists rebels have growing confidence and courage to confront state authorities. He said the attack was a well-coordinated effort and that the government must proceed with caution when dealing with terrorists insurgents.| Thanks for your profound analysis, Professor Obvious. |
The terrorists militants are expected to seek new recruits to energize the separatist insurgency. The fresh recruits will be led to believe that they will become heroes by following in the footsteps of the 16 dead terrorists militants.
He did not believe the terrorists militants would carry out major revenge attacks anytime soon. The Runda Kumpulan Kecil (RKK) insurgent group may now realize that they have to resort to former tactics such as killing officials in higher positions or kidnapping people for ransom.
The terrorists militants might renew their campaign of violence again during Songkran when state officials lower their guard and get into the festive mood, he said. He said if the terrorists militants had succeeded in their attack on the marine base, this would have had a serious psychological impact on other marine units and local residents.
Sunai Phasuk, a Human Rights Watch researcher, said the death of Maroso Chantrawadee, a terrorist militant leader among the 16 terrorists militants killed during the raid on the marine base, could discourage terrorist militant attacks in the area for some time. Previously, several other terrorists militants were also arrested and some killed. But he warned that terrorist militant violence could escalate in other areas.
Srisomphop Jitpiromsri, a lecturer at Prince of Songkla University, Pattani campus, said the dead terrorists militants have become heroes in the eyes of insurgent sympathisers and their deaths could draw even more sympathy.
A source said the shooting of Narathiwat teacher Chonlathee Charoencho in his school last month was seen as a mistake by the terrorists insurgents. The teacher was popular among local people and his killing prompted them to come forward to give information to state authorities, he said.
Meanwhile, funeral rites held for the dead 16 terrorists militants in Narathiwat's Bacho district were attended by many local villagers, a source who attended the ceremony said.
Many villagers lining the route to a local kubor (Muslim cemetery) carried and passed the coffins along to the burial ground. Villagers chanted prayers in honor of the dead terrorists rebels who were praised as "martyrs" throughout the rite, the source said.
Meanwhile, six soldiers were slightly wounded when a roadside bomb exploded in Narathiwat's Si Sakhon district Thursday morning. The blast was believed to be in revenge for the deaths of the 16 terrorists militants. |