Two construction workers in Kratie province were dozing in their hammocks at a worksite this weekend when armed assailants fired 29 bullets and lobbed a grenade at them, seriously injuring one.

The attack took place a little after 10pm on Sunday in Snuol commune, according to Snuol district governor Eav Saphumi.

The governor said that the two targeted labourers, Chaem Veasna and Sean Veasna, are both 20 years old and part of a crew working on a road construction project.

Chaem Veasna was hit in the stomach, while Sean Veasna was wounded in the right hand, according to the governor. He said that both were brought to the provincial hospital in Kampong Cham.

Authorities do not know the precise number of gunmen involved or pinned down a solid motive for the attack.

But Sak Sokun, acting commander of the Snuol military police, said that they were former or current soldiers living in Kratie province.

He added that according to an initial analysis, the attackers may have been motivated by revenge stemming from a dispute between them and the labourers.

The victims and the road construction company’s owner could not be reached for comment yesterday.

To contact the reporter on this story: Buth Reaksmey Kongkea at [email protected]