---

Rebel suspects kill 7 in attacks
Narathiwat hit by two bomb blasts, shooting


NARATHIWAT : Seven people have been killed and eight injured in two bomb blasts and a shooting attack in Muang district on Sunday, police said yesterday.

The first bomb exploded inside the four-storey Jintai Junior convenience store on Phichit Bamrung Road in Muang Narathiwat municipality around 7pm.

Ten minutes later, another bomb went off outside the two-storey Sui Hua Panich convenience store on Chamroon Nara Road _ about 400 metres away from the Jintai Junior shop.

The bombs were set off when the stores were crowded with shoppers.

The blasts also started fires that badly damaged the shophouses in which the convenience stores were located.

At the Jintai Junior store, three people who were burned to death were identified as Suwit Wilaiwan, Wilasinee Wilaiwan, 32, who was four months pregnant, and her three-year-old son Pitakpong Wilaiwan.

At Sui Hua Panich, store owner Pichayuth Thanakitwat, 45, and Nanthana Binma, a teacher from Yi-ngo district, died in the blaze.

The seven people who were injured in the two bomb blasts were sent to Naradhiwasrajanagarindha Hospital in Narathiwat.

They were identified as Maroki Dolae, 30; Asikim Duerae, 14; Natthaphut Thanachitrat, 78; Sureeyanee Podae, 17; Oranit Amnuaypanich, 38; Ruseena Jaewae, 18; and Usman Sanita, 46.

Police investigators said the assailants posed as customers and planted the bombs on product shelves at each of the two convenience stores.

Narathiwat deputy police chief Banlue Chuwet said inspectors had concluded that the blasts in the two stores were caused by incendiary devices.

Police were gathering further evidence including video footage from surveillance cameras to try to identify the bombers.

The bomb blasts occurred shortly after a gunfight at a security post in Kasoh village in Narathiwat's Muang district.

At least 10 suspected militants in the back of three pickups sprayed bullets at the post, killing two defence volunteers _ Veerachai Sae Phu and Cholchart Prommoon _ and injuring one soldier, Pitak Phetchnok.

Pol Col Banlue said an assailant was also killed and at least three others injured in the gunfight.

Security officials told hospitals in downtown Narathiwat and in other districts to be on alert for injured assailants, who might try to disguise themselves to seek treatment.

http://www.bangko...in-attacks