An on-duty border soldier in Pailin province shot a man in the arm on Saturday causing serious injury, according to officials, who characterised the incident as an accident.
Boyakha Commune Police Chief Chor Manh said that the shooting occurred near Border Outpost 68, where suspect Khun Chandara was stationed. Chandara had pointed Ak-47 at the victim, Oddar Meanchey native Noeung Neath, 28, after Neath failed to stop his truck carrying construction materials.
“The victim thought that he knew the soldier, and he thought the soldier just was joking with him because they used to play like this … The victim got off the truck and pushed the rifle away, then two rounds were fired,” Manh said.
One of those rounds hit Neath on the underside of his left arm. He was given first aid at a local Halo Trust office before being sent to a hospital where he is expected to recover.
Local RCAF commander Chuob Vuthy said the suspect is being detained and questioned pending a potential court martial for improper weapons use.
While no charges have been brought, he noted the suspect “used the weapon without orders”.
