A Burundi ruling party official was killed by gunmen on Wednesday in a bar in the Commune of Matana in the southern province of Bururi, a local official told Xinhua by phone on Thursday.Leonidas Ndikumagenge, a representative of the ruling National Council for the Defense of Democracy-Forces for the Defense of Democracy in Gasibe, a town in Matana, was shot dead by one of six gunmen who stormed the bar.

Ndikumagenge, who owned the bar, died on the spot, said Matana Administrator Astere Bizindavyi.

The unidentified gunmen, who wore military uniforms, ran away after the crime, said the official.

"Investigations are underway to identify the criminals, but I cannot conclude that the attack was politically motivated," he said.

Another official of the ruling party was killed on Tuesday night in a grenade explosion at Gahongore, a town in the western province of Bubanza.