Progress report on the intense siege and shootout at Po Yani Village, Yala City: The Police Region 9 Commander revealed that one suspect was shot dead after negotiations to surrender failed. The suspect had four outstanding warrants related to security cases. The mission is ongoing, and authorities continue to maintain the siege in the area.
Security agencies including military, police, and local administration jointly enforced the law at a two-story rented house inside Soi Ratthadon Pattana DD.2, Village No. 3, Po Yani Village, Sateng Nok Subdistrict, Mueang Yala District, Yala Province, starting from 00:20 on 20 January 2024. A shootout occurred at 03:50 after local leaders and religious figures attempted to negotiate for the violent suspects to surrender to authorities, but the effort failed as the suspects opened fire, leading to a clash that lasted until morning.
Latest update: Police Lieutenant General Piyawat Chalermsri, Commander of Police Region 9, accompanied by Police Lieutenant General Krisda Kaewjan, Commander of the Office of the National Police Commander, Police Major General Wallop Jamnongasa and Police Major General Nathakorn Kanjanaporn, Deputy Commanders of Police Region 9, and Police Major General Kong-at Suwankham, Commander of Yala Provincial Police, closely monitored the situation at the scene. Currently, security agencies are maintaining the siege to investigate the scene and prevent any involved individuals from entering. The operation is not yet complete.
Police Lieutenant General Piyawat Chalermsri, Commander of Police Region 9, disclosed that this operation was an extension of tracking suspects involved in major cases since 11 January. The deceased was wanted on several warrants and served as the "operational leader" of the violent group in the area, connected to several major incidents such as attacks on the Thasap fuel station (Highway 418) and multiple ambushes on state officials in Mueang Yala District.
Authorities are currently conducting a detailed identification process and expanding investigations to find links to other network members. Additionally, they seized one firearm from the suspect, which is under examination. Police Lieutenant General Samran Nualma, Deputy Commissioner of Police and Commander of the Police Operations Center, together with the Fourth Army Area Commander, have instructed local units to heighten vigilance as the deceased was a key figure, which may provoke retaliatory actions from allied groups.
"I have ordered all units to elevate security measures at checkpoints, roadblocks, and protection of vulnerable targets to ensure full confidence and safety for the local population," the Police Region 9 Commander concluded.
The deceased was identified as Mr. Nasrulah Sama, 35, residing at House No. 75, Village No. 3, Lamda Village, Yupo Subdistrict, Mueang District, Yala Province. He was wanted on four security-related warrants: 1) Warrant No. 313/2018, 2) Warrant No. 285/2019 for the attack on a Charoen Rat Volunteer checkpoint that resulted in 15 deaths and the ambush of a married couple, with charges including murder of officials and acts causing serious bodily harm or restriction of freedom, 3) Warrant No. 117/2021, and 4) Warrant No. 326/2025 for actions deemed as inciting public disorder not protected by the constitution or lawful criticism.