Military and police have cleared the clash site, finding two militants dead. One police officer was injured after slipping and falling down a hillside. Meanwhile, more than 200 relatives and local residents gathered densely at the hospital to receive the bodies.
On 11 Sep 2016, progress was reported regarding the operation led by Colonel Panjaphon Subboworn, commander of Task Force 48, and Colonel Nopadol Prommak, commander of the joint special operations unit in Narathiwat Province. They joined forces with police and local authorities in four operational teams to pressure and pursue militants in the Tawe mountain range. A clash occurred with armed members of the group led by Abu Asnan Jemae in Ban To Leng, Village No. 3, Bukit Subdistrict, Cho Airong District, Narathiwat at 12:30 p.m. on 9 Sep 2016.
Throughout the day, officials cleared the dense forest area where the clash took place and found two militants dead. The first was Mr. Useang, 34, residing in Village No. 4, Bong O Subdistrict, Ra-ngae District, Narathiwat. He was a bomb maker for the armed group and also transported completed explosive devices for distribution to militants in various locations for attacks.
The second was Mr. Useang, 35, from Village No. 14, Bukit Subdistrict, Cho Airong District, Narathiwat. Both individuals were identified by authorities as connected to incidents involving armed attacks and bombings at the Bukeh Sami checkpoint in Ra-ngae District on 22 July 2016 and the bombing of a PTT gas station in Ra-ngae District on 10 Jan 2016.
Seized evidence included numerous items such as bomb-making equipment, explosive precursors and mixtures, homemade bombs enclosed in cylindrical metal pipes, M16 rifles with magazines and ammunition, backpacks, clothing, survival gear for forest environments, hammocks, and other items. Their shelters were improvised by tying hammocks between trees, allowing them to move easily through different locations.
During the investigation of the scene, a police officer was injured in an accident. Sergeant Natthaphop Thepsuwan, 46, assistant investigator at Cho Airong Police Station, slipped and fell down the hillside, resulting in a dislocated right shoulder. He was urgently transported to Cho Airong Hospital for treatment.
Later, Deputy Governor Wichan Chaisethsaphan, Police Colonel Narin Chuaisuk, Chief of Cho Airong Police Station, and Ekawit Chantawong, District Chief of Cho Airong, traveled to Cho Airong Hospital to assist and express condolences to the families of the deceased. Over 200 relatives and residents came to the hospital to receive the bodies for religious funeral rites.
Dr. Mahama Mohmoola, director of Cho Airong Hospital, explained to the families of the deceased that before the bodies arrived, medical staff would require about 30 minutes to conduct detailed autopsies and prepare the wounds for viewing. This was to ensure the families understood the procedures, as they wished to receive the bodies for funeral rites within 24 hours of death. The discussions with the families proceeded smoothly.
At 00:35 on 11 Sep 2016, rescue vehicles from the local rescue unit transported the two bodies to Cho Airong Hospital. Police, military, and local officials deployed around the hospital to secure the area, preventing any third parties from infiltrating to cause disturbances or escalate tensions between the local community and state authorities.