A brazen incident occurred in Su-ngai Padi district where assailants dressed in black opened fire and killed Volunteer Ranger Darun Darahong while he was on leave, having returned home just two days earlier. The Narathiwat task force commander rushed to inspect the scene and ordered an urgent manhunt. Villagers and agencies organized an honorable funeral ceremony for the victim.
At 09:30 on 25 March 2016, Major General Yodawut Phuengpat, commander of the Narathiwat task force, Lieutenant Colonel Panjaphon Supbaworn, commander of Ranger Task Force 48, Police Colonel Tarmisi Jedy, superintendent of Su-ngai Padi police station, bomb disposal unit officers from the Narathiwat Provincial Police Division, forensic officials from Narathiwat, and other related officers traveled together to a house in To Deng subdistrict, Su-ngai Padi district.
This was the scene where two assailants dressed in black used military-style firearms.AK-style rifles.They ambushed Volunteer Ranger Darun Darahong, aged 40, a ranger assigned to Ranger Company 4813, killing him. The incident occurred at 20:51 on 24 March 2016.
Upon arrival, the scene was a single-story wooden house raised on stilts. At the left kitchen door, there were mats and pillows laid on the floor with bloodstains nearby, and blood was also found at the front entrance of the house.The blood was scattered.It extended to the stairs and the floor, forming three large pools.
Officers found spent AK-style rifle cartridges.AK-style rifle cartridges.They were found in three main locations: 1. Outside the kitchen wall, 2. At the front door stairs, and 3. In front of the neighboring house adjacent to the victim's home, with over 20 cartridges collected. Officials gathered evidence at the scene.
According to Mr. Rotanan Saodee, the homeowner and friend of Volunteer Ranger Darun, before the incident, he and the victim were standing and sitting chatting at the kitchen door when suddenly two assailants dressed in black clothing wielding firearms.AK-style rifles.They fired multiple shots at the victim. He and the victim ran to take cover inside the house.
However, the victim fled out the front door after being shot multiple times by the assailants, aiming to escape along the main village road. The two assailants anticipated that the victim would escape through the door and waited to ambush him as he emerged. They then fired multiple AK-style rifle shots.AK-style rifles.Repeatedly fired.Striking the victim's head.And various parts of his body to ensure death. The assailants then fled into the darkness and used their knowledge of the terrain to escape into the hills behind the village.
Relatives, villagers, police from Su-ngai Padi station, and military personnel arrived at the scene, secured the area, and coordinated with relevant agencies for investigation early that morning. The victim's body was taken to Su-ngai Padi Hospital for autopsy before being released to the family for religious funeral rites.
Later, Major General Yodawut, commander of the Narathiwat task force, and Lieutenant Colonel Panjaphon Supbaworn,commander of Ranger Task Force 48,traveledto the home of Volunteer Ranger Darun, where the water-pouring funeral ceremony was taking place about 300 meters from the incident site. They spoke with relatives and the victim's child, expressing condolences and providing financial support to assist with funeral expenses.At the same time, Major General Yodawut met with the village headman and security personnel responsible for village safety. He criticized their duty performance, noting that despite directives, the assailants were able to infiltrate a community area and attack personnel. The victim had been home on leave for only two days, suggesting the perpetrators had knowledge of his movements.
At 10:00,
the family of Volunteer Ranger Darun,after the bathing ritual, moved his body to a mosque for funeral rites before transferring it to the To Deng Muslim cemetery for burial. Government officials and villagers attended the honorable ceremony.Security sources believe the assailants who killed Volunteer Ranger Darun are likely the same group who attacked the Chat Warin checkpoint in Pa Luru subdistrict, Su-ngai Padi district, at 20:55 on the night of 19 March 2016.