Military Denies Helicopter Fired on Youth in Jannae
Military authorities in Narathiwat deny a helicopter fired on youths near Jannae district, saying the aircraft was conducting surveillance during the August 24 incident while the injured youths' case remains under investigation.
On August 24, the Internal Security Operations Command Region 4 Front reported that after social media claims emerged of youths being shot by a helicopter while returning from a camping trip near Gumung village, Chang Phueak subdistrict, Jannae district, Narathiwat province, the command investigated with Narathiwat special forces and found that although a helicopter was operating in the area during the incident, it was conducting aerial patrol, surveillance, and situation monitoring to support ground operations—with no weapons fired from the aircraft.
The command stated that linking the youths' injuries to helicopter fire contradicts the facts from official investigation. The case of the injured youths remains under detailed investigation to establish clear facts. The command asked the public and media to verify information from relevant agencies before publishing, particularly for ongoing investigations, to prevent misinformation that could create misunderstanding and harm local communities.
Authorities said they are investigating the incident thoroughly and will communicate confirmed facts to the public as they emerge. The command affirmed that all operations follow established procedures with public safety as the priority, and pledged transparent fact-checking and accurate public communication. The public is encouraged to report any information or leads about the incident via the hotline 1341 or local special forces units for official investigation and follow-up.
