Defense Minister Inspects Attack Site, Five Rangers Killed
Five ranger personnel were killed in a coordinated attack on a checkpoint in Narathiwat's Rangae District on July 22, prompting the Defense Minister to inspect the site and order accelerated efforts to apprehend those responsible.
At 2:30 p.m. on July 25, 2025, Defense Minister Adul Buntham Charoen, accompanied by Army Chief of Staff Chaiphruk Duangprapath and senior security officials, arrived in Narathiwat province to assess the situation following an attack on the Buke Samee checkpoint in Rangae District on July 22. Armed assailants fired weapons and threw pipe bombs at the checkpoint, killing five ranger personnel and wounding several others.
The Defense Minister traveled to the 45th Ranger Regiment special unit in Tan Yong Mas, Rangae District, to attend a joint security meeting, receive briefings on intelligence, case progress, suspect tracking efforts, and area security measures. He ordered all units to strengthen security vigilance and accelerate apprehension and prosecution of those responsible.
At 3:30 p.m., the Defense Minister visited Rangae Hospital to encourage 10-year-old Habib Hinah, who was injured in the attack, and instructed relevant agencies to provide full medical care, assistance, and compensation according to victims' rights.
In an interview, the Defense Minister stated that the Prime Minister had tasked him with closely monitoring the situation and directing all agencies to integrate investigations with the Royal Police to expedite tracking the perpetrators, noting progress is being made. He emphasized that the attack reflects well-planned coordination and deliberate targeting of officials, adding that the government, military, and all security agencies will not tolerate such violence and will prosecute those responsible to the fullest extent of the law.
The Defense Minister also ordered accelerated assistance and full compensation for victims' families and the injured, while bolstering morale among operating forces. The Army will provide full support to personnel and families of the deceased. He appealed to the public to provide any tips or information related to the case.
