Election day attack plots foiled

General News - Sunday December 23, 2007

Election day attack plots foiled

By Muhammad Ayub Pathan & Waedao Harai

Security officers yesterday arrested five suspected insurgents who were reportedly plotting attack during today's election. In Narathiwat, 150 officers raided Ban Salo village in Rueso district after being informed that members of the Runda Kumpulan Kecil (RKK) militant group were hiding there and plotting attacks.

The team arrested five suspects and seized explosive materials, police said. Police believe the gang was preparing to launch bomb attacks to hamper the election in the area.

According to initial investigations, the gang was led by Seng Radaeng, 43, who has been listed as an RKK member, allegedly involved in bomb attacks in Rueso and nearby districts in the past, police said.

The suspects were taken for further questioning at Ingkhayutthaboriharn military camp in Pattani's Nong Chik district, officers said.

A separate team of 50 security officers yesterday raided a house in Narathiwat's Muang Sungai Kolok municipality, following a report that a militant suspect was hiding out there.

The officers captured Abubaka Awae, 24, who was also suspected of planning attacks today, security forces said.

In another development, police yesterday indentified an RKK member, killed during a gunfight against police in Yala's Muang district on Friday, as Waeyuso Waedueramae, 46.

He was one of eight Islamic religious teachers facing charges of armed robbery who fled after being released on bail.

A Muslim cleric was also shot dead in Bannang Sata district on Friday. Imam Masali Jehlimae, 47, was gunned down in front of his house, police said.

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