An incident occurred where attackers rode a motorcycle with a sidecar carrying an improvised explosive device, parking it in front of the Panare strategic checkpoint, causing injuries to five officers.
At 19:00 on 17 March 2026, police officers from Panare Police Station in Pattani Province received reports of an explosion at the strategic checkpoint on the pier area of Ban Kha, Thanam Subdistrict, Panare District, Pattani. The blast injured five officers who suffered hearing loss from the force of the explosion. Rescue workers transported the injured to Panare Hospital.
After receiving the report, officers promptly inspected the scene and found a fierce fire burning near the checkpoint's designated parking area for officials. They coordinated with the municipal fire department to spray water and control the flames, eventually bringing the situation under control. The investigation revealed that the checkpoint's front building and several officers' vehicles parked nearby were severely damaged.
According to the investigation, before the explosion, officers inside the checkpoint were carrying out their duties when an unknown number of attackers drove a motorcycle with a sidecar rigged as an improvised explosive device to park in front of the checkpoint. The attackers then fled on another waiting motorcycle. Afterward, they detonated the bomb, causing a loud explosion and fire that damaged the checkpoint's front building and multiple official vehicles.
Authorities immediately sealed off the area for safety and to prevent unauthorized access. Bomb disposal teams and forensic investigators are scheduled to conduct a thorough examination tomorrow morning, as the location is isolated and dark, raising concerns about possible repeat attacks by the perpetrators.
Meanwhile, security forces have been ordered to intensify checkpoints and roadblocks continuously in the area. Officials believe this attack was carried out by insurgent groups attempting to demonstrate their capability and retaliate after two recent clashes in Nong Chik District, Pattani Province, which resulted in the deaths of two insurgents.