15 Pakistanis detained in Thailand over possible terrorist links

[News_Editor]

15 Pakistanis detained in Thailand over possible terrorist links

2010-10-13 22:24:23 GMT+7 (ICT)

BANGKOK, THAILAND (BNO NEWS) -- Fifteen Pakistanis were arrested in Thailand on Wednesday where they will be held on suspicion of being linked to a terrorist network, officials said.

The fifteen individuals were arrested in the province of Yala, which in the southern region of Thailand where a strong insurgent movement has developed in recent times.

On Tuesday, a police team raided a hotel in Yala called My House, where the men were found staying.

The group claimed it was in the region with the purpose to raise money for flood victims in Pakistan. However, after authorities noted overseas money transfers to international terror suspects, they were detained.

According to Police Colonel Piyawat Chalermsri, a local bank employee reported that the Pakistan nationals had transferred money to a person abroad who is listed in the bank's official database as having links with a foreign terror group. No name of a person or group was given to whom the suspects were trying to send the funds.

"We haven't found any link or evidence related to terrorism yet but as this area is very sensitive we will investigate further," said Piyawat.

The southern region of Thailand, where the group is currently being held, is a Muslim-majority area, and in the past six years, insurgency has resulted in the deaths of 4,300 people.

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