Two explosions occurred in downtown Pattani on Sunday night, but no injuries have been reported. A suspected third improvised explosive device (IED) was destroyed using a high-powered water jet.
Police say that the two IEDs were detonated by timers near the midnight market. One was placed in front of a gold shop and the other in a garbage bin, beside the Santisuk Hotel in the Muang district. Some motorcycles were damaged.
Police believe that the perpetrators are insurgents and planned for the three devices to go off simultaneously, but the timer of the third IED malfunctioned. That device was discovered this morning by some residents who immediately alerted the police.
An explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) unit deactivated the device and eventually destroyed it.
Police said that the three IEDs were not intended to kill or maim, because no shrapnel was found.
CCTV footage from the scene and surrounding areas show two men on a motorcycle placing suspicious objects at the scenes of the explosions.
Last week, the BRN separatist movement issued a statement, admitting that they were responsible for the recent spate of violence in Pattani, Narathiwat and some districts of Songkhla because the government is not sincere about resuming the peace dialogue, which has been suspended since early last year.
