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Five Thai soldiers were killed and six civilians injured after gunmen attacked a military checkpoint in Thailand‘s insurgency-hit southern region, the army said on Thursday.
The attack occurred on Wednesday evening in Narathiwat province, one of three Muslim-majority provinces affected by a long-running separatist insurgency.
According to the Thai army, members of Task Force Ranger Regiment 45 were on duty protecting residents at the Bukeh Sami checkpoint when the assailants opened fire and hurled pipe bombs at the position.
Local authorities said six civilians were also wounded in the attack. No group has claimed responsibility, and security agencies have yet to make any arrests.
Thailand’s southernmost provinces have been plagued by a low-level insurgency since 2004, with separatist groups seeking greater autonomy for the predominantly Muslim region. The conflict has claimed more than 7,000 lives over the past two decades.
Security personnel have remained the primary targets of attacks, although civilians have also been caught in the violence.
Paying tribute to the slain soldiers, the army described their deaths as a sacrifice made in the line of duty.
“Their service and sacrifice will be remembered and honoured with the highest respect,” the military said.
Authorities have launched investigations into the latest attack as security operations continue across the troubled southern region.
