Roadside bomb kills policeman, wounds 5 in far South

The damaged police truck was towed from a blast site in Bacho district, Narathiwat. Its driver was killed and five other policemen injured when the truck was hit by a roadside bomb late Monday night. (Photo by Waedao Harai)

NARATHIWAT: A policeman was killed and five colleagues injured by a roadside bomb that detonated as their pickup truck passed in Bacho district overnight.

The policemen, from Palu Kasamoh station, were returning from an operation against highway motorcycle racers. The explosive, contained in a cooking gas cylinder, was hidden beside the Phetkasem Highway in Ban Batu village of tambon Palu Kasamoh. It was detonated remotely about 10.30pm on Monday as they went past.

Other police arrived and rushed the victims to Bacho Hospital. They were later referred to Naradhiwasrajanagarindra Hospital in Muang district.

Pol Sgt Yutthapong Nuikaeo, the driver, was later pronounced dead. He had a severe shrapnel wound in his head.

Other five injured policemen were a deputy inspector-general and four non-commissioned officers.

Security authorities waited until Tuesday morning to examine the scene, to avoid being attacked at night. The said the truck had two burst rear tyres, a shattered windscreen, shrapnel holes on its left side and lots of blood stains on the tray bed.