NARATHIWAT - Two suspects linked to the fatal shooting of two Tak Bai police officers were killed in a gunfight with security forces in this southern province on Wednesday, while authorities later apprehended another suspect believed to have helped the duo evade arrest earlier.

The operation was launched at about 2am after security agencies tracked the movements of the suspects to a hut in Ban Nam Tok village in Sukhirin district.

The two men killed in the raid were identified only as Abdulmuklis, 23, and Sahman, 34.

Abdulmuklis was wanted on separate theft and drug trafficking charges. Forensic examinations linked his DNA to parts of a firearm recovered from the hut.

Sahman was wanted on two arrest warrants for murder and theft, according to Pol Lt Gen Piyawat Chalermsri, the commissioner of Provincial Police Region 9.

Investigators said the two suspects fled Tak Bai after the attack on Sunday and sought medical treatment in Cho Airong district before moving between hiding places in Ra-ngae district. Their most recent location was then traced to the hut in Sukhirin district.

Pol Lt Gen Piyawat said the suspects opened fire on officers, triggering a gun battle. No officers were injured during the operation.

Police recovered two firearms stolen during Sunday’s incident, including a Glock pistol belonging to Pol Cpl Traitos Kunsanthawasiri, who was wounded in the shooting.

Pol Lt Gen Piyawat said the operation was conducted in accordance with evidence gathered by investigators and standard tactical procedures.

So far, authorities have identified 14 people believed to have been connected to the Tak Bai attack, including the two who were killed.

The other 12 suspects have been detained for questioning, including the fugitive arrested on Wednesday afternoon on suspicion of having helped the shooters escape earlier.