YALA, 12 September 2014 – Police have stepped up security measures in Yala province following deadly attacks by insurgents in nearby Pattani on Thursday, with all movements of separatist groups being closely monitored.
In the wake of the latest shootings and explosions in Pattani, more police forces have been deployed to help ensure safety of residents in the municipal area of Yala. Vehicle searches are being stringently conducted by officers stationed at the Khun Wai checkpoint on the Yala-Pattani border in an attempt to keep ill-intended individuals at bay.
The commissioner-general of the Southern Border Provinces Police Operation Center has instructed all security units to adopt an offensive strategy and keep track of insurgent groups in order to be prepared to intercept any planned attacks and prevent losses. Forces are also encouraged to be cautious and alert while on duty and provide protection for all civilians to their best ability.
Thursday’s gun and bomb attacks were mainly targeted on state offices within Pattani province and left four people dead and six others wounded. The incidents were in accord with previous intelligence suggesting that insurgent attacks could break out in the Deep South during September 10-20.
