Gunmen shoot kamnan dead

PATTANI: A community leader was shot dead in full view of many villagers at a tea shop in Yaring district yesterday morning.

The shooting occurred at the shop in tambon Takae around 8am, said Pol Col Theera Iedchata, a duty investigation chief at Yaring police station.

Abdulloh Seedeh, 56, kamnan of tambon Takae, was drinking tea with other local residents when he was attacked by a group of four men on a pickup truck, witnesses told police.

The men stopped their vehicle in front of the shop and some of them sprayed bullets from M16 rifles at the kamnan, forcing other villagers to run in panic. Abdulloh sustained serious gunshot wounds and died at the spot, while others escaped unhurt.

Police and forensic officers arrived at the scene shortly after being alerted and found several M16 cartridges scattered in the area.

Authorities were investigating whether the attack was related to a personal conflict or the ongoing southern unrest.

Meanwhile, authorities have promised the circumstances surrounding the Southern View Hotel bombings in downtown Pattani on the night of Aug 23 will become clearer in seven days.

Fourth Army commander Lt Gen Wiwat Pathompak said authorities were expediting the investigation and establishing the motive.

He said it would be premature to say whether the hotel attack was connected to the bombings and arson attacks in seven provinces on Aug 11-12.

The hotel bombings killed two people, with damage estimated at 30 million baht.