By Enyichukwu Enemanna
At least 15 suspected drug lords have been killed in a clash with soldiers in a forested area in Thai’s northern region near the Myanmar border, authorities announced on Thursday.
The soldiers on Wednesday evening were said to have accosted the suspects conveying backpacks and ordered them to stop for a proper search.
The suspects instead opened fire, engaging them in a gun duel, the Pha Muang Task Force, the military unit in charge of security in Thailand’s northern border provinces had said.
The exchange of fire between the suspects and the soldiers according to the agency lasted for about ten minutes.
No soldier was wounded but on Thursday morning when the military returned to inspect the scene in the Fang district of Chiang Mai province, they found 15 suspected smugglers dead and 29 backpacks packed with crystal meth, authorities said.
Investigation was still ongoing whether the suspects had brought the illicit items in from Myanmar. The route is a common one for drugs being smuggled into Thailand.
The exact quantity of crystal meth seized was also not immediately available, and the task force did not say whether any suspects are believed to have escaped.
