Monday, May 9, 2011

Cambodian log poachers, police clash

9 May, 2011
Source: Bangkok Post

A group of Cambodian illegal loggers fired five rocket-propelled grenades at Thai border police in Si Sa Ket province then retreated in the face of retaliatory gunfire on Sunday night.

Police on Monday said a 16-strong border patrol came across the timber poachers while patrolling a wildlife conservation area in Si Sa Ket's Phu Sing district.

The loggers then fired five RPGs at the border police, who fired back using an M79 grenade launcher and M16 assault rifles. The fighting lasted about five minutes and then the interlopers fled.

On Monday morning police found bloodstains and large supply of food in the area. At least two loggers were believed to have been injured during the clash.

The area is definitely in Thai territority since it is about 10 kilometres from the Cambodian border, police said.

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