KOTA BHARU, March 9 — The police said they have tightened security along the Malaysia-Thailand border following a bomb explosion in Sungai Golok, southern Thailand.
Bermama cited the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Razarudin Husain saying the police are closely monitoring developments in the Narathiwat province and has immediately enforced stricter security measures until the situation is deemed safe.
He said the General Operations Force (PGA) stationed at the border has been instructed to heighten its state of readiness and strengthen security at PGA posts as well as along Sungai Golok to prevent the entry of undesirable elements into Malaysia.
“In addition, the Strike Force Company and Battalion Intelligence teams have been directed to intensify patrols at illegal entry points and identified ‘hotspot’ areas along Sungai Golok,” he told Bernama.
Razarudin stressed that the police are maintaining round-the-clock surveillance of security posts and personnel as an additional safety measure.
He said the bomb explosion, which occurred in front of a stadium in Sungai Golok town, took place at approximately 6:25 pm yesterday (Thailand local time) after the breaking of fast.
“As of now, the exact number of casualties and injuries resulting from the incident has yet to be confirmed,” he added.
Meanwhile, Malaysians have been advised to postpone any travel to southern Thailand following the incident.
Yesterday, Kelantan Police Chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat confirmed that no Malaysians were involved in the shooting and bomb explosion in Sungai Golok.
Thai police previously reported that an explosion had occurred at a security checkpoint outside the Sungai Golok District Office along the Sungai Golok-Sungai Padi Road. Several gunshots were also fired by a group of assailants, resulting in the deaths of at least two Thai security personnel and injuries to eight others. — Bernama
