“Interfaith” outreach now in IED form.

(Reuters) – A powerful roadside bomb killed nine civilians and wounded two others in Thailand’s restive deep south on Tuesday, an attack blamed on separatist insurgents, police said.

The victims were all Buddhists and were travelling in a pickup truck to hunt wild pigs when the bomb exploded in Yala, one of three predominantly Muslim provinces plagued by violence since a separatist rebellion resurfaced seven years ago.

The incident was the second major attack in six days and will be a blow to the government and security forces, which say violence has reduced significantly in recent months, citing tighter security and successful public relation campaigns.

Four soldiers were killed and at least five others wounded on Wednesday when rebels armed with grenades and assault rifles stormed an army outpost in Narathiwat. Thai media said at least 20 rifles were stolen in the raid.

Police said Tuesday’s bomb was planted in the road and detonated remotely by cellphone, destroying the truck. Roadside blasts are common in the rubber-rich region, but military and police patrols are usually the targets.