Security Forces Clash With Militants in Jao Airong
Security forces clashed with an armed militant group led by Abu Aznant Je-ae in Narathiwat's Tawae mountain range on September 9, with the fighters escaping into dense forest after a 15-minute firefight. Authorities suspect one militant may
Military and police forces engaged in a firefight with an armed militant group on the Tawae mountain range in Jao Airong district, Narathiwat province, on September 9, 2025. At 12:30 p.m., commanders from the 48th Ranger Battalion and the Narathiwat Provincial Police Volunteer Defense Force launched a two-pronged operation across September 8-9 to locate hideouts and track members of the group led by Abu Aznant Je-ae, which comprises six to seven active fighters in the Tawae range near Ban Tho Leng village in Bukit subdistrict.
When security personnel began patrol operations in the area, the militants detected their movement and opened fire, triggering exchanges of gunfire lasting more than 15 minutes. Realizing they were outnumbered, the militants used their knowledge of the terrain to signal a retreat and fire sporadically to cover their withdrawal, ultimately escaping into the thick forest.
Authorities believe one militant may have been killed based on preliminary assessments during operations, but verification has not been possible. Heavy ongoing rainfall and dense, difficult-to-access terrain have prevented officials from confirming casualties or investigating the clash site. Operations remain ongoing with careful procedures to ensure personnel safety. Authorities are asking the public to avoid the area and to follow official updates closely for their own safety.
