Gunmen Shoot Former Village Head Inside Mosque During Prayer
Two masked gunmen entered a mosque in Narathiwat's Su-ngai Padi district and shot a 68-year-old former village head during evening prayers, leaving him critically wounded. The victim's son, a volunteer ranger, was killed in a similar attack eight years ago. Security forces have sealed off the area and are investigating whether the shooting is linked to the southern insurgency or a personal vendetta.
At 7:35 PM on November 3, police in Su-ngai Padi district, Narathiwat, received a report that gunmen had attacked and shot 68-year-old Droning Mulee, a former village head of Moo 5, Ban Kua, Riko subdistrict, inside the Ban Kua mosque. Preliminary investigation found that Mr. Droning was performing evening prayers when two men wearing hats and face coverings entered the mosque and opened fire, causing him to collapse. The assailants fled quickly before local residents and rescue workers could intervene. He was rushed to Su-ngai Padi Hospital for emergency treatment. Police, military, and administrative officials have cordoned off the area, gathered evidence, and set up checkpoints to track down the perpetrators. The motive remains under investigation, with authorities examining whether it is linked to the ongoing unrest in the area or a personal dispute. Notably, on August 7, 2018, Mr. Droning's son, volunteer ranger Muhammat Hafeesee, was shot dead along with another ranger while riding a motorcycle near the Ban Tong Daeng–Ban Pholong route in To Deng subdistrict, Su-ngai Padi district.
