A suspected Muslim insurgent shot an army sergeant in an execution-style killing in front of hundreds of people at a busy market in southern Thailand on Friday, police said. Sgt. Wichai Khamhom, 38, and three other soldiers were guarding the market in the Ranarae district of Pattani province when a gunman approached him from behind and opened fire at close range. A bullet went into the back of his head and through his right cheek, said police Col. Kob Hattachanakitti.
"It was the most daring attack in recent months. The attacker did it before the eyes of hundreds of people," Kob said. The gunman snatched an M-16 assault rifle from his victim and sped away on a waiting motorcycle. The three other soldiers and policemen at the market did not dare to fire back for fear of hitting some of the many people at the market. |