A PREGNANT woman and a policeman were killed when bodyguards of senior Funcinpec

general Nhek Bun Chhay opened fire Apr 21.

The incident - which took on political overtones because of the tension between Funcinpec

and CPP - occured outside Bun Chhay's home.

According to Daun Penh district police, two police officers were escorting the pregnant

woman, who had been involved in a traffic accident, to her house when they passed

Bun Chhay's residence at about 9:50pm.

Bodyguards at the house opened fire, killing policeman Ly Ratanak, 29, and the woman,

Sovan Chany, 28.

The shooting occured while CPP-aligned police officers were hunting for Chao Sokhon,

who allegedly sought protection from Bun Chhay. But police say the two officers were

not involved with that case.

Bun Chhay said that the two policemen threatened his men, but Duan Penh police disputed

that and said they would pursue legal action against the bodyguards.