Narathiwat (ANTARA News) - Two suspects were arrested and questioned on Saturday as to whether they were involved with last Friday`s planned sequential series of bombing in this restive south province which claimed six lives-- including four Malaysian tourists-- while in a separate incident, one local resident was shot this morning by presumed insurgents.

Lt Col Satipong Athan, army commander of Narathiwat special task force 38, investigated the two men, both residents of Rangae district, as they drove a suspicious pick-up truck with no licence plate passing through Prachabamrung School when a bomb was detonated at a school building which housed an army teacher protection unit on Friday.

The duo denied their connection with the school bombing but officials found both have given differing testimony on the matter.

Lt Col Satipong said he will also further investigate the two detainees on whether they were involved with the bombing in Su-ngai Kolok district last Friday which killed six people and injured a hundred others, some of whom are in grave condition.

The sixth death was reported this morning. The victim was identified as Pamorn Pornpanich, 61, reporter for a local newspaper who was seriously wounded while he was covering the news on bomb attacks.

Four Malaysians, including a three-year-old boy, were also killed in one of the worst attacks in Su-ngai Kolok.

Meanwhile, in the nearby Rangae district, one villager was seriously injured as two suspected insurgents on a motorcycle attacked him in a drive-by shooting.

The injured was identified as Kudeng Rayeekae, 33, was also riding his motorcycle to work in rubber plantation when he was shot.

Concerned officials believe the incident was the work of insurgent groups to create the threat of daily violence in the area.(*)
TNA-OANA/H-AK

Editor: Jafar M Sidik
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