NARATHIWAT: Suspected Islamist insurgents have shot dead four Muslim men while one militant was killed by security officials in Thailand`s restive southern provinces, police said Wednesday.

A 50-year-old villager was shot dead at his home late Tuesday in Narathiwat province while in neighbouring Yala province a 26-year-old security volunteer was killed in drive-by shooting.

Meanwhile, in Pattani province, two Muslims aged 27 and 34 were gunned down in separate attacks on Tuesday evening, police said.

Earlier the same day in Yala a 39-year-old suspected militant was shot dead in a confrontation with Thai soldiers.

Thailand this month extended emergency rule in three troubled southern provinces until October as it struggles to quell unrest that has left more than 4,100 people dead in six years.

The shadowy militants, whose exact goals are unclear, have targeted both Buddhists and Muslims, including many civilians.

BDST: 1315 HRS, July 28, 2010