Tribute to the hero Sergeant Atphon Yodam, who was ambushed and fatally shot while on leave in Narathiwat. His wife ran to help but was grazed by a bullet near her head, narrowly escaping death without serious injury.
At 10:30 a.m. on 5 Nov 2016, Police Colonel Tarmsee Jae-dee, Superintendent of Su-ngai Padi Police Station in Narathiwat, Deputy Inspector Lieutenant Kittisak Onchu, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team from the Provincial Police Division, and other relevant officials went to investigate the shooting of Sergeant Atphon Yodam, 46, a Ranger from Ranger Company 4810. He was found dead beside a brown Isuzu pickup truck with Phatthalung license plates on a roadside in Kampong Bue Nae village, Moo 6, Riko Subdistrict, about 60 meters from the home of his wife, Waheeda Yeesimu, 31. The incident occurred at approximately 7:10 p.m. on 4 Nov 2016.
At the scene, officials found the pickup truck damaged by gunfire, including the rear cab window, driver's side window, front hood, and lower part of the driver's door, all riddled with bullet holes. A pair of sandals with bloodstains was found nearby. On the road and large trees on the driver's right side, at two spots, over 20 M16 and AK-47 shell casings were collected, along with bullets ejected from the attackers' firearms. These were gathered as evidence.
Investigations revealed that after Sergeant Atphon had carried out security duties at the Darul Islam Mosque—the location where assailants had attacked former village headman Droning Muli, who was wounded on 3 Nov 2016—he completed the assignment and took scheduled leave, returning to his wife's home.
Sergeant Atphon parked his pickup truck by the roadside near his wife's home. Late at night, he went outside to move the vehicle into the yard. While unlocking the door, two assailants ambushed him from two spots: one from dense forested area in front of the truck and the other from a large tree on the driver's right side. Both attackers fired M16 and AK-47 rifles in a heavy volley at Sergeant Atphon.
Waheeda, his wife, heard the gunfire from inside the house and, fearing an attack on her husband, ran outside to help. As she approached, the assailants fired one shot at her but missed, the bullet grazing her head narrowly. She then ran and took cover in the nearby forest. She saw the attackers fire another shot at Sergeant Atphon, hitting him again. Two motorcycles then arrived to pick up the two assailants, who fled quickly.
Authorities later took Sergeant Atphon's body to Su-ngai Padi Hospital for an autopsy. The report found gunshot wounds entering his back and exiting the front, fractures to his right leg and left arm caused by bullets, and severe injuries to his neck area, indicating a final shot before the assailants fled. The wounds were serious and fatal.
At 10:00 a.m., Colonel Panjaphol Supbawon, Commander of Ranger Task Force 48, attended the bathing and burial ceremonies for Sergeant Atphon at the Kampong Bue Nae cemetery, Moo 6, Riko Subdistrict, Su-ngai Padi District, Narathiwat. He expressed condolences to Waheeda and presented financial aid and offerings to honor Sergeant Atphon's memory.
Security sources monitoring militant group activity believe the attackers who killed Sergeant Atphon are the same group that, on 3 Nov 2016, shot former village headman Droying Muli with a 9mm pistol during prayers at Darul Islam Mosque, causing injuries. After the attack on Sergeant Atphon, the group is believed to have fled into the mountains behind Kampong Bue Nae village.
Waheeda described the terrifying moment she ran to assist her husband: “When I heard the first gunshot, I went to open the door and saw muzzle flashes. I quickly put on my shoes and ran a few meters toward the hill, shouting for them to stop. I was wearing a white prayer outfit. The attackers saw me and fired at me. The bullet grazed me, so I took cover in the forest briefly. I saw them shoot my husband again; he fell with his head hitting the road. When I reached him, he was still breathing and his eyes were normal, so I wiped his eyes, but he had already passed.”
The Internal Security Operations Command Region 4 Front posted a statement expressing their deepest condolences on the death of Sergeant Atphon Yodam of Ranger Company 4810, Special Task Force, Ranger Regiment 48. He was ambushed and killed while on leave at his wife's home in Kampong Bue Nae village, Moo 6, Riko Subdistrict, Su-ngai Padi District, Narathiwat. They offered condolences to his family and colleagues, sent strength and care to his loved ones, wished his soul peace, and urged the family to remain strong during this time of grief. They honored his bravery and paid tribute to the fallen hero.