The Kelantan state government today called on residents in the state to avoid visiting southern Thailand for time being following attacks by an armed group that killed 15 people in the region last night.

The state Deputy Menteri Besar Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah said, however, for those who had no choice but to enter the region, they must exercise caution.

“But if you could, avoid it altogether for at least a day or two for your own safety,” he said when met by reporters after attending the exco meeting in Kota Bharu.

Asked if there were Kelantanese people involved in the incident, he said the state government had not yet received any information on it.

Yala provincial police chief Pol Prabpal was reported as saying that 15 volunteers, including two women, were killed and four others injured in attacks by armed men at two security checkpoints at Mukim Lampaya and Kampung Thung Sadao, around 10.15pm last night.

Commenting separate issue, Amar said the state government was ready to face the floods with all preparations were in place.

- Bernama