Muslim cleric shot dead in Pandeglang

PANDEGLANG, West Java (JP): A local leader of the Hizbullah Front Muslim organization was shot dead by a group of four unidentified men armed with a pistol and an automatic weapon here on Monday evening.

Witnesses said that Cecep Bustomi, 50, was shot in front of Rau market by two of the four men riding two motorcycles when he was on his way to a friend's house.

Gunshot wounds were found in Cecep's shoulder and right neck. At least three bullet shells were discovered under his Mazda car.

At about the same time, another group of unidentified men also attacked a repair shop owned by a Hizbullah Front sympathizer. One employee was killed and two were injured in the attack.

The motives behind the two attacks remain unclear, but the local police chief said he would launch an investigation to establish whether the incidents were politically motivated or not.

As of Tuesday evening, the situation remained tense in Pandeglang.

Earlier in the day, some 1,500 Hizbullah supporters attended Cecep's burial in Peuni village, Maja subdistrict.

The attacks in Pandeglang took place one day after a leading figure in the Islam Defenders Front (FPI) was shot dead in front of his house in Central Jakarta.(25)