'JI buys weapons in Cambodia'

'JI buys weapons in Cambodia'

Thailand and Cambodia have stepped up joint security measures following reports that members of the terrorist group Jamaah Islamiyah (JI) ordered a large arsenal of weapons from Cambodia suppliers, a news report said on Monday.

The Bangkok Post quoted an intelligence source as saying the weapons, including Sam-7 rockets, RPG launchers and M79 grenades, were left over from fighting between the Cambodian government and Khmer Rouge guerrillas and were believed to have been hidden in areas bordering the Thai provinces of Sa Kaew, Surin and Trat.

Thai security officials were reported to be liasing with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sah Kong and Supreme Commander Kae Kim Yan to prevent the war weapons from being smuggled into Thailand.

Thailand was also reported to have sent Cambodian authorities a list of 15 Cambodian Muslims suspected of having links to three suspected JI members arrested two-months ago in Phnom Penh.

JI, which is believed to be closely affiliated with Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda network, is alleged to have plotted a variety of recent terrorist attacks, including deadly bombings in Bali and Jakarta in Indonesia.

Thailand is mounting its most extensive security clampdown ever in advance of a summit meeting of 21 leaders of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in Bangkok Oct. 20-21. -- DPA