Four soldiers were killed and six others seriously wounded in the explosion of a bomb inside the operations base of Narathiwat Task Force 32 in Bacho district of Narathiwat province on Monday afternoon, reports said.
The bomb, which weighed about 25kg, was inside a gas cylinder taken into the task force base for disposal by an explosive ordnance disposal unit.
It was found earlier today by the ordnance unit near a bridge at Ban Champako in tambon Kayomati in Bacho district where a cloth banner with a message opposing the peace talks was found hung on a tree.
The bomb exploded inside the task force base while being examined.
Four soldiers were killed in the powerful blast. Two of them died instantly at the base while two others died later at Narathiwat Ratchanakarin Hospital. Six others were seriously wounded.
Two of those killed were identified as Lt Chaisit Techasawangwong and Warrant Officer Rewat Kongnak. The names of the other two were not immediately released.
The wounded were identified as Somphet Yanpanya, Thirawat Sukrod, Sayant Chinbut, Thongchai Suiwong, Ong-art Sakda and Saravuth Tapananont. All hold the rank of warrant officer.
The bomb, which later exploded at the Narathiwat Task Force 32 base, was planted at the foot of a tree where a cloth banner bearing a message opposing the peace talks between the government and separatist groups was hung.
The banner was hung on a big tree on one side of Phetchakasem road between Pattani and Narathiwat near a bridge at Ban Champako in tambon Kayomati of Bacho district.
It was believed the bomb was intended to kill police or soldiers sent to the spot to examine the cloth banner.
Pol Col Krisda Kaewchandee, deputy chief of Narathiwat police, said similar cloth banners were found at more than 60 spots in 11 districts, but not in Tak Bai or Sungai Kolok, of Narathiwat province.
Two bombs were found with the banners, one in tambon Todeng of Sungai Padi district and the other at Ban Champako in Bacho district.
The one found in Sungai Padi district exploded, wounding one soldier.