Rebels Derail Train in Thailand
'Pakistan Times' Wire Service

BANGKOK: Separatist rebels derailed a train in southern Thailand on Monday, police and railway officials said, injuring at least 16 people and forcing the suspension of services in the region.

The commuter train left a station in Yala province in the morning, and jumped off the tracks in neighbouring Pattani province.

Police blamed the incident on rebels who are fighting for a separate Muslim state in the southern region bordering Malaysia. They said that militants had sabotaged the track at night, removing nails that secured it.

Railway officials said three passenger carriages carrying about 200 people left the track and slid into the verge, slightly injuring 20 people, while police put the number of wounded at 16.●