[Bernama] Thai authorities have confirmed that the two militants who were killed in a shootout in Pattani, southern Thailand, on November 21, were the masterminds behind a deadly attack at security posts in Yala province earlier this month which left 15 dead.Military spokesman Pornsak Poonsawat said the two men, Sobri Lamso, from Songkhla and Mayako Lateh, from Pattani, were individuals who led and planned the attack on security posts in Kampung Lam Phaya on November 5.
He said authorities had surrounded a house where the two suspects were hiding and demanded them to surrender but they refused and started firing at the security forces which resulted in a gun battle that lasted nearly three hours.
“Investigations revealed Mayako had 12 arrest warrants while Sobri had six. The two suspects also attacked a village security post in Pakaharang, Pattani, and blew up an ATM in Yarang. Besides, they were also believed to have robbed a goldsmith in Nathavi, Songkhla,” Pornsak said.
He said the homeowner who provided protection to the two suspects had been detained and he also warned the locals against giving protection to the militants.
Ninth Division police chief Ronnasin Phusara said the firearms found in the house were used in the attack on security posts in Kampung Lam Phaya and several attacks over the last ten years.