BANGKOK, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Five suspected southern insurgents were shot dead by security forces on a mountain in Thailand's restive south.
The clash took place in the southern border province of Narathiwat on Sunday.
The security forces also seized five M16 assault rifles, one HK rifle and some supplies belonging to the insurgency group, said Col. Pramote Prom-in, spokesman of the army's southern command.
Pramote also said that check points have been set up to check all passing vehicles for insurgents.
Police and troops in Narathiwat have been put on high alert for precaution against possible revenge attacks by insurgents.
Sunday's clash has been the biggest since separatist insurgents killed 15 people in twin attacks in nearby Yala province on Nov. 5 last year.
Pramote told the media that he will investigate into whether the five men killed on Sunday were also involved in the Yala attacks.
