Six more killed over three days in southern Thailand
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-03-08 14:13

Six more people have been killed in the last three days in a string of shootings in Thailand's south, including a woman authorities described as the first female targeted by insurgents.

The latest deaths are in addition to the five people killed Sunday in a bloody shootout at a police checkpoint, when gunmen disguised as fully veiled Muslim women opened fire on police.

Thai policemen pray at the funeral of two colleagues at a Buddhist temple in Narathiwat province, southern Thailand. Six more people have been killed in the last three days in a string of shootings in Thailand's south, including a woman authorities described as the first female targeted by insurgents. [AFP]

Police have blamed all the killings on an Islamic separatist insurgency that erupted in January 2004, leaving more than 620 dead in almost daily killings.

Suthisa Suhart, 37, a trader and local administration member, became the first woman intentionally gunned down early Monday morning in Sunai Padi district of Narathiwat province, police said.

"Suthisa was the first woman intentionally shot dead by militants in the unrest," a police official told AFP, noting that other women had been hit in crossfire but had not been specifically targeted.

The other deaths included police Sergeant Winai Phetmanee, 50, killed on his way to work early Tuesday in Sungai Padi district of Narathiwat province.

Two civilian police volunteers -- Asming Hayi Dolor, 25, and Abdul Kodea Kormae, 21 -- were killed by gunmen riding a motorcycle early Sunday in Narathiwat's Sukhirin district.

A Buddhist hospital worker, Prathueng Deangpeng of Panarae district in Pattani province, was shot dead early Monday and a villager, 56-year-old Topa Barga, was shot dead later Monday.

The latest killings came as Muslim leaders called for the prosecution of three army generals found negligent in the deaths of 87 Muslim protesters on October 25 last year.

Army southern commander Lieutenant General Pisarn Wattanawongkeeree, Major General Sinchai Nutsathit, and Major General Chalermchai Wirunthep have been transferred to advisory positions because of the incident, but have not lost their rank and could still take command roles in the future.

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