Islamic Militants Murder Three In Southern Thailand

From the Agence France-Presse:

YALA, Thailand — Suspected Islamic militants shot and killed three people, including a married couple, in Thailand's restive south as authorities boost security for New Year celebrations, officials said Wednesday.

The husband, 49, and wife, 47, were gunned down at their stall selling pork at a weekly market in Pattani province on Tuesday evening.

Police said the man worked for the local authority.

Also in Pattani, a 43-year-old man employed as a construction worker at a Thai army base was killed in a drive-by shooting as he returned from buying food early Tuesday afternoon.

According to a Pattani security official, the local governor Wednesday instructed police and soldiers to intensify operations, including round-the-clock checkpoints, amid heightened fears of attacks over the New Year holiday.

"We are focused on risky areas such as roads, markets and security around teachers and high-profile people," he said.

Suspected Islamic insurgents have waged a violent campaign in Thailand's deep south near the border with Malaysia since January 2004, targeting Muslims and Buddhists, civilians and security personnel.

More than 4,400 people have died since the violence began, while over 7,000 have been injured, according to the non-governmental organisation Deep South Watch, which monitors the conflict.