PATTANI - Security forces captured a well-setup, hidden base used by a separatist insurgent group on Wednesday, arrested one suspect and seized a large quantity of bomb-making materials and weapons, in Pattani's Nong Chik district.
Pol Lt Gen Suchart Thirasawat, an assistant national police chief, said the combined military-police force overran the base following a clash with armed insurgents. There were no casualties.
One man, who admitted being a bomb-maker, was arrested, he said.
The suspect was identified as Sabari Che-ali, 30, a native of Nong Chik district and believed to be a member of an insurgent group led by Seri Waemamu, a Hat Yai bombing suspect who is on the run.
According to Pol Lt Gen Suchart, Mr Sabari told officials he was approached to the join the separatist movement by an insurgent named Maolana Samo. His job was to make bombs, together with another insurgent identified as Isyasa Hayae.
A senior officer interrogates an insurgent suspect caught when security forces over ran a militants' base in Pattani's Nong Chik district on Wednesday. (Photo by Abdulloh Benjakat)
Five other suspects fled before the security force took the base. They were named as Maolana Samo, Chamroen Umasa, Isyasa Hayae, Fadlan Sohman and Annungwa Kaso, and were armed with one M16 rifle, an AK47 rifle and two shotguns, Pol Lt Gen Suchart said.
The insurgent camp was well setup, comprising three cottages, was concealed in a mangrove forest, well-camouflaged and accessible only by boat.
One cottage was used for assembling bombs. Bomb-making materials including kerosene to mix with urea, a boat-load of gun powder, ball bearings, and two large gas cylinders, each weighing about 15 kilogrammes, a solar cell panel, and a large number of firearms were found inside.
Another cottage was used for sleeping and cooking. Also found inside it were a shotgun with 20 rounds of ammunition and a large quantity of petrol.
The third cottage served as sleeping quarters, a meeting room and a prayer room. Two bombs made using 15kg gas cylinders, copies of the Koran, clothes, hammocks and a large quantity of survival gear were found inside the building.
The base was believed to have been in use for at least two years, Pol Lt Gen Suchart said.
Security forces move through a mangrove forest to attack the insurgents' base in Pattani's Nong Chik. The base was accessible only by boat. (Photo by Abdulloh Benjakat)