A commune chief in Kampong Thom province’s Kampong Svay district was critically injured on Sunday morning after being shot by a group of assailants allegedly seeking revenge.

Provincial police chief Phann Sophen said Damrei Slap commune chief Phin Sam On, 49, had been shot once in the waist outside his house early on Sunday and was recovering at the provincial hospital.

The police chief said his force had nearly finished its investigation and had identified the suspects, although he declined to provide their names so as not to compromise their arrest.

“The shooting was one of personal revenge, rather than robbery,” he added.

Neither Phin Sam On nor any of his family members could be reached for comment yesterday.