Two leading insurgents killed in gunfight with combined forces in Yala

Written by Writer on Saturday, November 8th, 2008

Two leading insurgents killed in gunfight with combined forces in Yala

YALA, Nov 7 (TNA) - Two leading insurgents were shot dead early Friday in a shootout with combined security and civil forces in the southernmost province of Yala after the authorities received information that a group of suspected separatists were sheltering there while preparing an attack elsewhere.

More than 30 combined police, military and civil administration personnel in a joint search operation discovered a shelter in an orchard on the Nam Khun canal in Yala’s Bannang Sata district and found five insurgents in the hut.

A gun battle between the two sides took place suddenly, lasting over 10 minutes. After the gunfire ceased and security personnel cleared the area, the bodies of two insurgents were found at the scene.

Usman Saledeh and Abdi Deng were found dead near the bank of Nam Khun canal, and a rifle was found beside their bodies.

The other three insurgents escaped during the gun fight.

Mr. Usman was identified as a leader of the Runda Kumpulan Kecil (RKK), a militant group that wages violent attacks in the province and was involved in a number of shooting cases that many villagers were died and wounded. There is an outstanding arrest warrant for him at the Bannang Sata district police station. (TNA)