PATTANI, Jan 13 (TNA) – Six defence volunteers were injured in a motorcycle bomb attack in Pattani province, southern Thailand, on Monday morning, police said.
The attack occurred at approximately 8:00 a.m. local time in Soi Pattani Rama, an alleyway located between the Muang Pattani Police Station and the TK Park Pattani learning center.
Police, defence volunteers and local administrative officials, totaling around 30 personnel, were preparing for a joint patrol when the bomb detonated.
All the injured were taken to Pattani Hospital. Authorities cordoned off the area to prevent further attacks, fearing a possible second bomb.
Initial investigations suggest that the officers were preparing for their daily patrol in front of the police station. Some officers were in the alleyway checking equipment, including weapons and uniforms.
It is believed that the assailants planted an improvised explosive device (IED) inside a motorcycle and parked it in the alley between the police station and TK Park. The attackers then waited nearby on another motorcycle. When the officers arrived, the bomb was detonated remotely.
The explosion caused injuries from shrapnel. Local residents in the vicinity were startled by the blast and evacuated their homes.
Authorities suspect the attack was carried out by insurgents seeking to harm officials and create unrest in the region. -819 (TNA)
