A defence volunteer was killed and five others were injured in a shooting, followed by an explosion, in Bannang Sata district of Thailand’s southern province of Yala today.

According to police reports, Mada-oh Waeyeegao, a defence volunteer, was shot by the pillion passenger of a motorcycle, as he was riding another motorcycle back to his home after attending a prayer at a masjid in his village in Bacho sub-district. He died at the scene.

Shortly after, five volunteers in a pickup truck rushed to the scene to rescue their colleague, only to fall victim to an explosion, detonated by insurgents hiding behind bushes in the area.

All five volunteers were injured and their car was damaged in the explosion. Reinforcements then arrived at the scene to take the injured to the district hospital.

The area was cordoned off after another suspicious device was found tied to a utility pole.