Paris (ANTARA News/Reuters) - Three uniformed French soldiers were shot dead on Thursday as they tried to withdraw money from a cash machine in Montauban, southwest France, the defence ministry said.

Two paratroopers died on the spot after being shot by an unidentified gunman on a scooter. The third died later in hospital of his wounds, police sources said.

There was no immediate indication of the motive for the rare attack. Police set up road blocks in a major deployment to hunt for the gunman.

Defence Minister Gerard Longuet condemned the assassination in a statement and said he hoped those responsible would be brought to justice. (*)

Editor: Kunto Wibisono
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