PATTANI – The assistant mayor of Khao Toom Tambon Administrative Organization in Yarang district was fatally shot by unidentified gunmen on Friday after returning from midday prayers. The victim, Muhamad Noor Arwae, was ambushed while driving home from a local mosque.

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Police officials confirmed the attack but have not yet determined whether insurgents were responsible. Forensic teams have begun collecting evidence from the crime scene in an effort to identify the perpetrators. The assassination marks the latest in a series of violent incidents across the southern border provinces, where insurgent activity has intensified in recent days.

The assistant mayor of Khao Toom Tambon Administrative Organisation (TAO), in Yarang district of Pattani province, was shot dead after attending Friday prayers.

Police say that the victim, Muhamad Noor Arwae, was driving back home from the mosque when he was attacked by… pic.twitter.com/A0Y2UBzYno

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This surge includes a major gold shop robbery in Narathiwat’s Su-ngai Kolok district on October 5, where thieves escaped with gold ornaments valued at 35.6 million baht. Additional incidents include the bombing of Islamic Bank ATMs near Fatoni University in Pattani on October 7 and scattered attacks on public surveillance cameras.

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Authorities continue to investigate possible connections between these events and ongoing insurgent operations in the region.

-Thailand News (TN)