Three 'militants' killed in Thai south: police

Thai security forces killed three suspected Islamic militants on Thursday during a raid on their jungle hideout in the far south, the scene of a seven-year insurgency, police said. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

NARATHIWAT(Thailand) - THAI security forces killed three suspected Islamic militants on Thursday during a raid on their jungle hideout in the far south, the scene of a seven-year insurgency, police said.

Two assault rifles were seized after a 20-minute gunfight in mountains in Bacho district, Narathiwat province, authorities said.

Thailand's three southern-most provinces near the Malaysian border have been plagued by almost daily violence since shadowy Islamic insurgents launched an uprising in the region in early 2004.

More than 4,500 people, both Muslims and Buddhists, have died in the attacks, which have appeared to become more brazen in recent months with car bombs and assaults on military bases or outposts.

Last month four suspected insurgents, including one senior alleged militant, were killed in a gunfight with government security forces. -- AFP