CityNews – Three people lost their lives during a drive-by shooting on Sunday, 20th April, in Yala, which is one of the three Southern provinces that has been plagued by the decade-long South Thailand Insurgency. Sadly, one of the victims was an innocent 2-year-old girl.
The attack took place in the Bannang Sata area of Yala, where two men on motorbikes rode past while opening fire on surrounding people. The two grandparents of the murdered toddler, aged 49 and 54, were both fatally shot in the head, while their 12-year-old grandson sustained injuries and is expected to make a full recovery.
This violent incident comes soon after a suspected Muslim separatist (31) and his 6-year-old son were shot dead in the same province on Thursday, 17th April. The police said that it was most likely fellow rebels who had carried out the murder due to in-fighting among the group.
The South Thailand Insurgency death toll now stands at 5,352 men, women and children, since the unrest began in 2004. Those injured are believed to be around 10,000 people.