A key militant suspect wanted for several deadly attacks in the South, including the murder of former Bannang Sata police chief Sompien Eksomya, was killed in a gunfight with security forces in Yala yesterday.
Ma-ae Aphibalbae, 34, was among four militants found dead after a 15-minute shootout with a joint police-military ranger force at a house in Ban Cha Ro Pae in Than To district.
The security operation began about 6.30am after police received a report that a number of militants were at the house.
As the combined force approached the house, the militants allegedly opened fire with assault rifles and a handgun.