NARATHIWAT, Thailand -- By air and on foot, security forces continued a manhunt Sunday (August 4th) in Narathiwat for insurgents suspected of conducting a series of attacks this month that have left two rangers dead and nine injured, local media reported.

The Nation reported that security personnel are focusing on several districts including Rangae, Chanae, Joh I Rong, Sri Sakhon and Tak Bai. Troop patrols targeted hilly areas where some insurgents are believed to be regrouping.

Meanwhile, Paradorn Pattanathabut, the head of the National Security Council (NSC), said the Thai authorities have contacted the Barisan Revolusi Nasional, which had agreed to a truce during Ramadan.

The NSC has notified the BRN by letter that attacks in the Deep South had yet to let up despite the peace agreement, and authorities considered the violence to be the work of insurgents, the Bangkok Post quoted Paradorn as saying.

He dismissed a claim by the rebel group Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) that Thai security forces had violated the Ramadan peace agreement.

Public confidence in the peace dialogue under way with the BRN has been severely damaged due to the apparent truce violations, Paradorn added.