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A group of the alleged attackers riding on a back of a black pickup truck before they opened fire and threw pipe bombs at soldiers at a security checkpoint in Narathiwat province, Thailand, Wednesday, July 22, 2026. (Internal Security Operations Command Region 4 via AP) Five security personnel were killed, and six civilians were injured in an attack in southern Thailand on Wednesday, news agency Reuters reported. Among those wounded were two children About 10 people, all dressed in black, arrived in a pickup truck and on motorcycles, and struck a checkpoint in Narathiwat province on Wednesday. They used military-grade firearms and pipe bombs in their attack, the military’s Internal Security ⁠Operations Command Region ​4 said in a statement.Five paramilitary rangers were killed in the attack while six civilians, including a three-year-old girl and a 10-year-old boy, were injured After the attack, the assailants fled with three AK-47 rifles, three bulletproof vests and several ​mobile phones ​from the checkpoint. The security personnel later recovered the pickup truck used in the assault and abandoned thereafter. It was set ablaze about 21 km (13 miles) from the scene. Like most of the attacks in Thailand’s deep south, no group immediately claimed responsibility. The government termed the incident an act of terrorism that posed “a serious threat to national security” and undermined ongoing efforts to revive the peace process.Story continues below this ad History of insurgency in Thailand Thailand’s southern border along the frontier with Malaysia has seen decades-long insurgency, ⁠with security forces battling groups seeking independence for the provinces of Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat ⁠and parts ‌of Songkhla. Unlike the rest of Thailand, with a predominantly Buddhist and ethnically Thai population, a vast majority of people living in these provinces are ethnically Malay and practice Islam. This border region was once part of an independent ​Malay sultanate of Patani before being annexed ‌by Siam under a 1909 treaty with Britain. However, more than 7,800 lives have been lost in the latest phase of the conflict, which erupted in 2004, according to ​conflict monitor Deep ​South Watch. Then, Malaysia-brokered peace ​talks between the Thai government and several insurgent groups began in 2013 but were stalled repeatedly.Story continues below this ad Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul ⁠has vowed to revive negotiations with the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN), the main insurgent group, after appointing a new chief negotiator in April. However, formal talks are ‌yet to ⁠resume. Earlier this month, BRN said dialogue is the only path to ​resolve the conflict and appreciated Malaysia’s continued efforts as a facilitator. © IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd The Express Global Desk at indianexpress.com which delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis. A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence. Core Team The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experience