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New mastermind behind southern Thailand bombing: PoliceBANGKOK, Jul 21, 2011 (The Nation - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Security officials probing a bomb attack in southern Thai province of Yala on Tuesday that wounded scores of victims, including young students, have identified the possible mastermind: an insurgent leader "competing" to take over terror operations after his area chief was killed recently. The man was named as Abdulloh Pulah, who sources said was demonstrating his potential against another area leader in Yala, Hubaidilah Romli, for the position of provincial terror chief -- replacing Ma-ae Aphibalbae, who was shot dead recently in a gunfight with authorities. Abdulloh is wanted for several criminal activities and terror attacks, and his colleagues include his cell's bomb-maker, Kohseng Toh. Among the many victims in Tuesday's blast across from a school in Bannang Sata district, Sergeant Major Saroj, 45, Wednesday succumbed to severe head wounds. Police are also tracking Muhammad Hayisamoh, another suspect implicated in Tuesday's explosion. An unidentified suspect is in the custody of Army rangers, according to a commander, Colonel Khomkrit Rattanachaya. More patrols by Army rangers have been provided along the route to Tao Poon School after the bomb attack while evidence is being collected, he said. The insurgency in the deep South now concentrates on four targets -- local Buddhists, teachers, monks and trains -- according to senior commander Pol Colonel Phommphet Phiphatphetphoom. Attempts are being made on these targets almost daily under the insurgency's new tactics -- to create terror and discourage local Muslims from coordinating with authorities. Based on intelligence reports on insurgent tactics, Pattani continues to see the most violence because it has the largest Buddhist communities. Areas between Narathiwat and Yala see frequent explosions as insurgents use them to experiment with bomb-making techniques and war weapons. In Yala, all types of attack are being used to disrupt both the economy and authorities located in more than 30 complexes across the province, Phommphet said. To see more of the Asia News Network, go to http://www.asianewsnet.net/home/ Copyright (c) 2011, The Nation, Bangkok, Thailand / Asia News Network Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For more information about the content services offered by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (MCT), visit www.mctinfoservices.com. |