Gunmen strike again in Poso

PALU, Central Sulawesi: Unidentified gunmen killed a local government official in the troubled town of Poso, Central Sulawesi, on Monday.

The body of 51-year-old Milton Padoa was found in Pantangolemba village. The victim was a financial official at the Poso Pesisir district office.

Milton may have been shot dead while riding on a Yamaha RX- Special motorbike, Poso Police said, adding that they were searching for the killers.

Police said they did not know the motive for the killing.

Poso Pesisir district head Purnama Tariba said Milton had been assigned to go to the Poso regency office at about 8 a.m. to disburse some Rp 20 million (US$2,000) in salaries for teachers and other civil servants.

"He may have been killed by the gunmen on his way from the office," Purnama said, adding that the killers made off with the money.

Last Friday evening, unidentified gunmen killed a 42-year-old man identified as Hasrin Latoreba in the same district.--Antara