Yala bomb blast: Three policemen killed, two seriously injured

Three policemen were killed and two others seriously injured when the two cars they were travelling in, were hit by an 80kg roadside bomb in Yala today.

The incident at Kampung Lubok Kalo in Krong Pinang occurred about 11am (local time).

Yala Province police chief, Maj Gen Ittipol Achariat-pradit said as soon as the bomb exploded, the policemen were ambushed by between seven and 10 unidentified armed assailants, followed by an exchange of gunfire.

"Six guns belonging to the policemen were also taken by the attackers," he said, adding the blast of the 80kg bomb caused the police car with three personnel to go airborne for about five metres high.

The impact of the bomb also caused the car to be split into two pieces, apart from leaving a metre-deep hole in the road, said Ittipol.

According to him, all the policemen were on their way home after conducting intelligence duties on drug smuggling in a nearby area.

He said the police believed the attack was masterminded by militant members known as 'Ubaidillah Ramlee'.