KOTA BARU: The attack on a security control post at the Sungai Golok district office in Narathiwat Province, Thailand on Saturday was believed to have been aimed at causing chaos in Southern Thailand, Sungai Golok deputy mayor Apichet Jeh-Ouma said.
The group of attackers dressed in black and had their faces covered, came in two vehicles, fired repeated shots and threw grenades in the attack that killed a security personnel at the scene, while another died while receiving treatment at the hospital, he added.
"So far 12 others are injured, including four with serious wounds, and are being treated at the Sungai Golok Hospital,” he said when contacted on Sunday (March 9), adding that no party has claimed responsibility for the attack so far.
He identified the two dead men as Muhamad Sabri Nasawan and Todsapon Paipim and described the attack as heinous as it was carried out during the Holy month of Ramadan.
Meanwhile, across the border in Rantau Panjang, Terengganu, trader Muhamad Redzuan Abdullah expressed his concern about the deadly attack in nearby Sungai Golok, pointing out that it was only three kilometres from the Malaysia-Thailand border and as such the explosions and shots could be heard by residents.
"We thought the explosions were the sound of fireworks set off by kids after breaking fast. But when we learnt it was an attack, I got anxious,” he told Bernama on Sunday (March 9).
Fellow resident, Jamilah Mohd Zain hopes Malaysians who enjoy going to Sungai Golok to buy food to break fast would avoid going over for now.
"If there’s nothing pressing, avoid going across as the situation isn’t too peaceful right now,” she added.
The Royal Malaysian Police tightened controls along the Malaysia-Thailand border after Saturday's attack.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain was reported to have said that the police are constantly monitoring developments in Narathiwat Province and that strict controls have been enforced until the situation has been deemed safe. - Bernama
