Kratie provincial police were yesterday hunting down two men who fled into a rubber plantation after shooting dead a villager during a home invasion on Tuesday.

Deputy police chief of Snuol district Keo No said the pair, armed with a rifle and wearing masks, barged into the Sre Cha commune home of 33-year-old farmer Soeun Ra at about 7pm as the family prepared to eat dinner.

Amid the panic, one of the men shot Ra in his chest and forearm, killing him immediately, No said.

They then fled into a nearby rubber plantation, making off with approximately 2 million riel (about $500). Alerted by villagers, officers gave chase.

“My forces have not returned back yet,” No said.

Sum Narak, Sre Cha commune police chief, said the family was organising a funeral for Ra.