Three Cambodians were injured trying to flee Thai military gunfire after they were among a group of 19 that illegally crossed into Thailand yesterday to log rosewood, police said.

“Three ran into trees and rocks and fell,” said Chhuot Tha, chief of staff at the Thma Puok district police station.

Eighteen have returned to Cambodia while the mastermind of the operation has gone into hiding, he said.

Ouk Keov Rattanak, Banteay Meanchey provincial hall spokesman, said the gunfire violated a Cambodian-Thai agreement.

According to the Cambodian-Thai border office, in the first half of 2012, 38 Cambodian illegal loggers were killed by Thai soldiers and 10 injured.

To contact the reporter on this story: Phak Seangly at [email protected]