Tak bai: Two men suspected of fatally shooting police officers during an anti-drug operation in Tak Bai, Narathiwat, on Sunday were shot dead in a police operation early Wednesday. Commander of Thailand's Provincial Police Region 9, Lt Gen Piyawat Chalermsri, reported that the suspects, aged 23 and 30, were killed during a special operation in Sukhirin district at about 2 am local time.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the shootout occurred after police surrounded an abandoned house believed to be the suspects' hideout. The suspects opened fire on police officers, who returned fire in self-defence, as explained by Lt Gen Piyawat Chalermsri during a press conference on Wednesday.

The police recovered two pistols belonging to the Tak Bai police officers who were killed in Sunday's incident. "The two firearms are believed to have been taken by the suspects," Lt Gen Piyawat Chalermsri stated.