One man was killed and five others injured in a grenade attack on Tuesday night at the Kampong Chhnang family home of a provincial Department of Social Affairs director – in what police suspect was an act of revenge.

The Department of Social Affairs director for Kampong Chhnang province, Chov Vanna, 57, was one of the five injured in the attack, while his 29-year-old son-in-law died at the scene, said Chim Bunthoeun, bureau chief of serious crimes for the provincial police.

“One man died immediately at the scene and five others were injured and they were sent to provincial hospital. The director of the social affairs department – who is also the house owner – was sent to be treated in hospital in Phnom Penh,” Chim Bunthoeun said.

Chov Vanna was being treated at Calmette hospital yesterday for burns and other injuries he sustained from the blast.

“They were having dinner and drinking in front of the director’s house with his family and friends. Before the grenade attack, the small kids and some guests left to another place but there were several people sitting outside when the suspect threw the grenade,” he said.

One suspect is now under investigation.

Police believe he carried out the grenade attack as revenge, said Chim Bunthoeun, but declined to give more details on the ongoing operation. No arrests have been made.

“This is the first case of grenade attack in Kampong Chhnang province since 1998,” said Sam Chankea, provincial coordinator for rights group Adhoc.

“Kampong Chhnang normally has crimes that involve shooting guns, not throwing grenades.”

He added that Adhoc did not deal with these types of crimes, and it would be up to police officials investigate the case.