Following a fit of jealous rage, a soldier in Preah Vihear province’s Choam Ksan district shot his wife dead with an AK-47 assault rifle on Sunday, before shooting himself in the head.

Choam Ksan district police chief O Seng said Vong Tol, 32, was a soldier stationed at Regiment 393, while his wife, Uy Sokhadom, 16, was a farmer in their local community.

“According to initial police assessments, the incident occurred out of jealousy between the husband and wife, but we can’t be certain of the motive,” he said.

Seng said that according to a relative of the victim, the couple had been living together for a period of time in Teuk Krahom commune’s Sen Rong Roeung I village.

On Sunday, the relative reportedly said that just five days after they had married, the couple moved in to live at the military base in thevillage.

At about 6pm, an argument broke out while Tol was carrying an AK-47.He shot Sokhadom at point blank range in the right side of her chest and again in her chin as she tried to get away.

After shooting his wife, Tol turned the rifle on himself and he died instantly. The AK-47 was found over one metre from Tol’s body.

The two deceased were returned to their families for funeral ceremonies.