Two killed, four hurt in bomb attacks in southern Philippines, Thailand
No claims to both attacks have been reported.
ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR: Two people were reportedly killed while four rangers seriously injured in bombing attacks in the southern Philippines and southern Thailand respectively on Tuesday (Sept. 17).
The two persons were killed when an improvised bomb detonated at a beach in Tukuran, Zamboanga del Sur, Mindanao, southern Philippines, police said, according to SunStar.
Investigator have yet to ascertain the two fatalities’ identities, said the police, adding the bombing occurred at about 2am at a beach resort in Purok Gemelina, Lower Bayao village.
A utility van with a damaged rear door had sped towards Tukuran cemetery just after the explosion.
A motorcycle and a store at the beach resort were destroyed in the explosion, the report said, adding policemen recovered a bag containing ammonium nitrated near the explosion site.
In another report, police said the bombing coincided with the celebration of the province’s 72nd founding anniversary.
Investigation into the motive and the identities of the suspect behind the incident is ongoing.
The southern Philippines has been for decades the scene of terror attacks by communist insurgents and Moro terror groups including those aligned with the Islamic State.
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Meanwhile, the four rangers were hurt in a bomb attack in Bang Sata district, in Thailand’s southernmost province of Yala, ThaiPBS reported.
“The rangers were patrolling in a pickup truck in Ban Bajoh village, Tambon Ban Bajoh, when insurgents, concealed in roadside undergrowth, triggered an improvised explosive device, which they had planted earlier,” the report said.
“The blast overturned the rangers’ vehicle, seriously wounded them. They were all rushed to a nearby hospital.”
Security officials immediately sealed off the area for fear a second device may have been planted.
Thailand’s predominantly Malay-Muslim southern border region has been home to a decades-old separatist rebellion. Thai police, soldiers and government officials are regular targets of roadside bombs and other attacks in this heavily militarised region along the border with Malaysia.
No claims to both attacks have been reported.
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