An SPLA-IO officer who was working in military intelligence was shot dead on Saturday in the Kator residential area of South Sudan's capital Juba, sources said.

SPLA-IO sources say they believe the victim identified as Lt.Colonel George Gismala was killed by government security personnel.

The killing led to a rise in tensions within some security forces yesterday evening in Juba.

The shooting itself was reportedly witnessed by people in the neighborhood, who said he died on the spot, but the body of the victim has not yet been found because it was taken away.

SPLA-IO is one of two armed groups allowed by South Sudan's peace agreement to bear arms during the transitional period. The group is part of the Transitional Government of National Unity led by President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar.