Vientiane, Laos—An armed gang ambushed a commercial transport truck along an isolated northern rural highway late Sunday, shooting and wounding the driver during a violent robbery attempt. Police units deployed tactical patrols to the mountain corridor following emergency calls from the transport company.
The truck was forced to a halt after attackers placed heavy timber across the asphalt lane around a sharp curve. When the driver attempted to reverse away from the blockade, multiple rounds were fired through the front windshield.
A bullet struck the driver in the shoulder, causing him to slump over the steering wheel as the vehicle drifted off the road shoulder. The armed assailants smashed the passenger window and stole a cash lockbox before fleeing into the surrounding jungle canopy.
Passing motorists discovered the wounded driver and alerted provincial police via emergency satellite radio links. Emergency medical teams arrived at the mountain pass to stabilize the injured driver before transferring him to a regional surgical facility.
"Provincial security forces have launched an intensive manhunt across the district using tracker units and regional checkpoints," a Ministry of Public Security spokesperson confirmed.
Forensic teams combed the highway stretch for spent shell casings, shoe prints, and abandoned tools left behind by the attackers. Transport authorities urged commercial freight operators to avoid traveling through the remote northern corridor during nighttime hours.
Hospital attendants reported that the wounded driver underwent successful emergency surgery and is currently listed in stable condition. Police investigators are questioning local informants to identify members of the armed criminal network operating in the area.
Security checkpoints along provincial borders have been reinforced with heavily armed police units checking all passing commercial traffic.
The damaged transport truck was towed to a local police compound for ballistic examination.
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