BANGKOK, 6 August 2013 – The Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) has expressed condolences to the family of an Islamic religious leader who was killed by gunmen in Pattani on Monday.
Imam Yacob Raimanee of the Pattani Central Mosque was gunned down by four men at around 4.40pm in Mueang district of the southern province of Pattani. He had been hailed as a major figure in efforts to end the unrest in the far South.
Over 7,000 residents attended his funeral in Pattani amid heavy security presence.
The ISOC Region 4 Forward Command stated that the death of the imam is considered a great loss for people in the Deep South and has assured the public that the assailants will be brought to justice as soon as possible.
The National Security Council, meanwhile, has contacted the Malaysian authorities who are coordinating peace talks between the Thai government and the BRN rebel group in a bid to confer about the incident.
The gun attack came despite a ceasefire agreement between Thailand and the BRN during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which is coming to an end this week.
(NNT: Orapa Chueyprasit)