A military commander based in Battambang province was seriously injured after a soldier shot him in the torso on Wednesday, officials said. Chhou Phleak, a patrol commander stationed in Samlot district, was shot following an argument with 36-year-old soldier Lay Pov. Tuy Bunly, deputy commander of Military Region 5 in Samlot, said the argument stemmed from the commander’s refusal to allow the soldier to take out his gun and hunt for animals. “The soldier got angry and had an argument with the commander, and then the soldier shot the commander in the armpit,” Tuy Bunly said. He added that Chhou Phleak had merely advised the soldier not to hunt animals or get involved in illegal logging. Military police are still searching for Lay Pov, who reportedly fled the scene immediately. Chhou Phleak remains in Battambang provincial hospital.