Three law enforcement officers harmed whilst setting up surveillance cameras in Narathiwat
In the heart of Narathiwat, tension ran high as three brave policemen faced a brutal blast in Ban Ai Sue Reh village of tambon Chang Phueak. On a typical Sunday afternoon, these investigators from the Narathiwat police headquarters were busy setting up a surveillance camera on a power pole.
The news of the explosion reached at 1.14pm, sending shockwaves through the district. As it turns out, a bomber had cleverly hidden an improvised explosive device (IED) under a metal plate created as a base for the camera. The device was triggered when the officers went about installing the CCTV camera, causing the pole to sustain severe damage.
The scene was a horrifying sight, with shrapnel tearing through the bodies of the officials. Pol Cpl Pakapong Suwanchana bore the brunt of the attack, sustaining facial and wrist injuries that ultimately proved fatal. Pol Cpl Teepakorn Chusing and Pol Sen Sgt Maj Sathit Khamhaeng weren't spared either, suffering wounds to their legs and heads respectively. remarkably, the trio managed to stay conscious after the explosion. They were rushed posthaste to Chanae Hospital, later transferred to Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra Hospital.
The incident transpired as the officers were stepping up security measures in the area, targeting the perpetrators behind the recent murder of a 76-year-old blind woman and the shooting of her son in the same subdistrict. Sadly, it seems the region, historically affected by insurgency, has become a target of calculated attacks meant to disrupt law enforcement. The scattered components of the IED further suggest premeditation and the intention to target these officers.
- The IED that was hidden under a metal plate, designed as a camera base, was a chilling reminder of the ongoing war-and-conflicts in Narathiwat, with traces of shrapnel suggesting it was a sophisticated improvised explosive device.
- The news media quickly picked up the story, with reports of the incident dominating general-news and crime-and-justice headlines, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by policemen in Narathiwat.
- The townsfolk of Ban Ai Sue Reh village and nearby areas were left in shock, as the bravery and resilience of the three policemen, who faced shrapnel and severe injuries, became a symbol of hope amidst the chaos.
- As the investigation into the blast continues, it's important for politics to prioritize the safety and wellbeing of the policemen who risk their lives daily, working tirelessly in the face of crime-and-justice conflicts, like the one that occurred in Chang Phueak.
