Two suspected southern rebels were killed and one officer was injured in a clash in Sai Buri district of the southern province of Pattani today.

Acting on a tipoff, about 50 members of the security forces rushed to lay siege to a rented house in Trobon sub-district, where two suspected insurgents were hiding.

The officers then sought help from community leaders and Muslim religious leaders in the village to persuade the two men inside the rented house to surrender and lay down their arms, but to no avail.

The security forces then moved in to flush the suspects out, only to be fired upon, prompting a return of fire. One of the suspects was shot dead and the officers asked the other to surrender, but he declined.

Fighting resumed again briefly. The officers then moved in and found the body of the second suspect. One officer was injured and was rushed to the district hospital for treatment.