A power pole along a local road in the Rangae district of Narathiwat has been dramatically toppled after a bomb attached to it exploded on Thursday, leaving eight soldiers injured. (Photo: Abdullah Benjakat)
NARATHIWAT – Eight soldiers were injured in a thrilling yet concerning roadside explosion, assumed to be the handiwork of local insurgents, in the Rangae district of this southern border province on Thursday. The improvised explosive device (IED) was cunningly tied to a power pole on the side of a local road in Ban Hulu Pare, nestled in tambon Tanyongmat. As fate would have it, the bomb was ruthlessly detonated just as a military pickup truck, loaded with soldiers, cruised by.
The sheer force of the blast wreaked havoc, brutally toppling the power pole and shattering both the windshield and windows of the pickup truck. The soldiers, caught off guard, sustained injuries and were swiftly transported to Rangae Hospital.
According to authorities entrenched in maintaining security, the soldiers belong to the 4805 Ranger Task Force and were out on a seemingly mundane mission to gather wood for constructing a makeshift camp when they abruptly found themselves under attack.
The explosive event appears to be the latest in a series of hostile actions attributed to insurgents sulking in the shadows of the district. The calculated timing and execution of the attack leave little doubt about its origins.
Meanwhile, in the neighboring province of Pattani, security forces are on high alert following the mysterious theft of surveillance cameras at three strategic locations in tambon Paku within Thung Yang Daeng district. The cameras were stealthily removed from a quaint football field and from the Ban Paku and Ban Sai Khao intersections. Authorities believe the thefts occurred sometime between 3 PM on Sept 23 and 6 PM on Sept 24.
A local security insider has suggested that the cameras may have been pilfered by a faction scheming to execute another brazen assault on security forces in the province. This has led to the rapid deployment of preventive measures as authorities scramble to tighten the noose on potential threats.
This unsettling series of events underscores the simmering tension in these restive southern provinces, where every action is watched with bated breath and every sound can signal impending danger. As the soldiers recover and the Rangae community puts the pieces back together, the relentless pursuit of security continues, draped in a shroud of uncertainty and resilience.
It’s horrifying to hear about another attack in Narathiwat. When will this violence end?
It will never end till the government takes real action. These insurgents keep getting away with it.
What do you mean by ‘real action’? More military presence?
Yes, and stricter surveillance. If they had better control, these incidents wouldn’t happen so often.
Honestly, it’s hard to blame just the government. The underlying issues are so much bigger.
Why are soldiers gathering wood? Seems like they should be patroling instead.
I think they were creating a camp for some sort of mission. It’s standard procedure.
Still, they should have been more careful. It’s a dangerous area.
Flynt, no matter what they do, they’re always at risk. It’s part of their job.
This is a tragic incident, but the focus should be on addressing the root causes of the insurgency rather than just ramping up security measures.
Totally agree. More guns are not going to solve deep-seated problems.
Root causes? Tell that to those injured soldiers. Sometimes force is necessary.
Force can be necessary, but it shouldn’t be the only tool in the box. We need a multi-faceted approach.
These insurgents are nothing but terrorists. They need to be dealt with harshly.
I feel sorry for the families of these soldiers. This region has been suffering for so long.
Surveillance cameras stolen in Pattani? Seems like another attack is imminent. Authorities need to step up.
Yeah, they were stolen for a reason, that’s for sure.
Hopefully, they will find the culprits soon.
This news is making everyone paranoid. It’s like living in a war zone.
Stealing cameras and planting bombs? These insurgents are getting too bold.
It’s true. Every incident just makes them bolder. More needs to be done.
It’s not just boldness. These acts are well-planned. Someone is funding them.
Jeanne, you might be right. There has to be a larger network at play.
Who has the guts to do such a thing? It’s insane.
People driven by extreme ideologies can do anything, Mark.
And desperation, Lara. Extreme measures often come from severe desperation.
This violence needs to stop. But bolstering military won’t do it alone. Community outreach may help.
Why isn’t this making international headlines? People need to know!
Why is Pattani always in the news for these attacks? It must be horrible to live there.
It’s really tragic. Some people there just want to live peacefully.
I have family in Pattani. The tension is unbearable.
It’s an endless cycle of violence. When will it break?
The cycle will break when there is mutual trust and dialogue.
Easier said than done, Waleed.