Police authorities in Rumbek East County of South Sudan's Lakes State say an SSPDF officer in charge of a military garrison has been killed by unknown gunmen.

The incident occurred in his military outpost headquarters of Pacong on Tuesday.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj Rumbek East county deputy commissioner of police Brig. Gen. Makur Dak said he has heard the killing of an SSPDF Maj. Mabor Majak Malok in Pacong.

"I am aware of the incident which occurred in Pacong on Tuesday where SSPDF soldier Maj. Mabor Majak Malok was killed by unknown gunmen," he said.

The police operation officer in Rumbek East County Samuel Marial Chiech said the police are still searching for the suspects.

"It is not clear who killed the officer, but an investigation is taking place in Pacong," Marial said. 

Malok Majak Malok, a brother to the slain soldier said his brother's body was found lying lifeless by the roadside.

"My brother just went home at 8:00 pm without escort and on his way back to the military garrison he got killed by an unknown gunman. His family thought that he has returned to the military garrison while his SSPDF soldiers thought their boss is maybe sleeping in his home until the morning when his body was found lying on the ground between home and Pacong military barracks," he said.

Majak says the death is a huge blow to the family and the military as the late was dedicated to serving the nation.