Tit-for-tat attacks between President Pierre Nkurunziza's security forces and his opponents have been escalating since he announced a disputed bid for a third term in April 2015.
More than 400 people have been killed in the ensuing violence, according to estimates by the U.N. and rights groups.
Nkurunziza's opponents said a third term violated Burundi's
constitution and a peace pact that ended the country's 1993-2005 civil
war.
A constitutional court ruling, however, said Nkurunziza could extend his rule.
Citing that ruling, the government organised an election which the president won in July.
Etienne Nijimbere, a local government official, told Reuters
on Sunday the gunmen had attacked two villages in Mugamba district, 60
kilometres southeast of Bujumbura, and killed four people.
Another source told Reuters that "some of the attackers were wearing military uniforms with hoods on (their) heads".Nijimbere said all four people killed were likely targeted because they were members of the ruling CNDD-FDD party.
Late on Saturday a grenade was also thrown at a fuel reserve facility in Burundi's second largest town, Gitenga, although the blast caused no damage, according to a regional government official, Anicet Manirambona.
Three armed groups, including one led by officers that
attempted a coup in May 2015, have launched armed rebellions against the
government, officials say.
None have claimed responsibility for Saturday's attacks.
Burundi has accused neighbouring Rwanda of supporting the
anti-Nkurunziza rebels and there are concerns the violence could
convulse the entire Great Lakes region, still haunted by Rwanda's 1994
genocide.
Rwanda and Burundi both have ethnic Hutu majorities and Tutsi minorities.(Writing by Elias Biryabarema; Editing by Andrew Bolton)
- Reuters
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