Thai authorities confirm two militants responsible for Yala's deadly attack

PATTANI, Nov 23  -- The Thai authorities have confirmed that the two militants who were killed in a shootout in Pattani, southern Thailand, on Thursday, were the mastermind behind the deadly attack at security posts in Yala earlier this month which left 15 dead.

Fourth Division Army chief Lt Gen Pornsak Poonsawat said the two men, Sobri Lamso, 28, from Songkhla and Mayako Lateh, 40, from Pattani, were individuals who led and planned the attack on security posts in Kampung Lam Phaya on Nov 5.

He said the authorities had surrounded a house where the two suspects were hiding and demanded them to surrender but they refused and started firing at the security forces which resulted in a shootout that lasted nearly three hours.

“Investigations revealed Mayako had 12 arrest warrants while Sobri had six.

“The two suspects also attacked a village security post in Pakaharang, Pattani, and blew up an automatic teller machine (ATM) at the Fatoni University in Yarang. Besides, they were also believed to have robbed a goldsmith in Nathavi, Songkhla,” he said.

Pornsak said the homeowner who provided protection to the two suspects had been detained and he also warned the locals against giving protection to the militants.

Meanwhile, Ninth Division police chief Lt Gen Ronnasin Phusara said the firearms found in the house were used in the attack on security posts in Kampung Lam Phaya and several attacks over the last 10 years.

--BERNAMA