Gunmen disguised as women wearing hijabs opened fire on a police officer and his family outside a school in Pattani province on Monday afternoon, killing the officer’s wife while she was holding their infant child inside the vehicle.
The attack took place at around 15:30 near Prasan Wittaya Foundation School in Pong Sta subdistrict of Yarang district.
Police said four attackers dressed in women’s clothing and wearing hijabs arrived on two motorcycles before pulling alongside the victims’ car and opening fire.
The injured officer was identified as Pol. Snr. Sgt. Maj. Adul Hayeesulong of Yaring Police Station. His wife, Fatimoh Ya-ngoh, a teacher at the school, was killed at the scene while holding their baby in the car.
Authorities said the couple had travelled to the school to pick up their child when the attack occurred.
Security forces rushed the wounded officer to hospital and sealed off the area while launching a manhunt for the suspects. Checkpoints were also set up across nearby areas to prevent further attacks and track down those responsible.
The Internal Security Operations Command Region 4 Forward Command strongly condemned the attack, describing the gunmen’s actions as “inhumane” and contrary to religious principles.
Officials said the incident had deeply shocked local residents, particularly because a woman and infant child were present during the shooting.
