Militants kill 2 Buddhists in restive Thai south

The attack took place in front of a mosque in Pattani province a day after twin bombings by suspected rebels killed at least seven security forces, marking one the region's deadliest days in several months.
The intensity of violence in Yala, Narathiwat and Pattani has increased this year and attacks include powerful roadside bombings, an assassination attempt on a provincial governor and a deadly weapons raid on a poorly guarded army barracks.
Thailand's deep south is among Asia's most violent places, with more than 4,500 people killed since 2004 in gun and bomb attacks the authorities blame on militants fighting for autonomy for the region's ethnic Malay Muslim majority.
Rights groups and many local Muslims believe security forces and armed Buddhist vigilantes have carried out extrajudicial killings and are angered by what they say is a refusal by the government to punish those responsible.
The authorities dismiss the allegations and say local people are being influenced by rebel propaganda and attempts by the shadowy insurgents to discredit police and the army and stir communal tensions between Muslims and minority Buddhists.
The shooting of more than 20 Muslims, four fatally, in a busy tea shop in Yala Tuesday was blamed on insurgents but many locals suspected troops were involved.