Undercover cops pose as drivers and farmers

By R.S.N. MURALI

KUALA TERENGGANU: Under­cover police here became lorry drivers and farmers in their bid to verify talk that southern Thai militants are hiding in rural areas in the state.

Even tom yam stalls were not spared as they staked out the eateries to find out whether “unhealthy activities” were taking place or if “sleepers” were staying there.

However, police have found no evidence of Thai militants hiding in Terengganu.

The intelligence operation began following an alert raised by Thai police that some militants were hiding in remote villages here and were planning to stage a series of bombings in southern Thailand next month.

Sources told The Star that several undercover police officers were assigned to the task.

A source said Thai police provided descriptions of the suspected militants who they alleged were planning to create unrest in Sungai Golok and Waeng at the southern tip of the country.

It is learnt that the details provided by Thai police were on Thai citizens who frequently crossed the border at Sungai Golok.

The source said local village heads were also asked to inform the authorities if they know of any “outsiders” in their midst.

He said the intelligence gathering also included the tracing of foreign-registered vehicles entering the state and the duration they remained here.

“We have embarked on active vigilance following the allegations made by Thai police,” the source said.

Based on the intelligence-gathering, the source said there was no indication that could verify the presence of militants in the state.

State police chief Senior Asst Comm 1 Datuk Mohd Shukri Dahlan said his men would work closely with their Kelantan counterparts in investigating such claims.