No replies to this topic

[Garcia]

After announcing that they would be lifting the curfew in certain areas of the Thai south to enable observance of the muslim holy month of Ramadan, the Thai authorities celebrated with more raids on the local population.

"Fourteen suspected insurgents were arrested and weapons were seized by a 500-strong combined security force which raided 14 locations in four villages in Narathiwat's Yi-ngo district as the Ramadan fast month began on Wednesday.

The raid was the latest in a series of operations aimed at rounding up those thought to be behind the ongoing strife in the deep South.

Rangers, troops and police spent five hours combing through Ban Lubopareh, Ban Yae, Ban Pongpueloh and Ban Koh villages in tambon Choboh. They were acting on information that armed insurgents were hiding in the area and ready to launch an attack.

They also seized 19 items, including an AK47 assault rifle and a hand grenade.

Of the 14 suspects, four are believed to be core leaders of the Runda Kumpulan Kecil insurgent group. The others are classed as sympathisers."

http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/tops...s.php?id=121581