Baucau – Unknown assailants attacked a police station in East Timor's second city before dawn Monday, injuring one officer, the country's police commander said.

Police Superintendent Paulo Martins told Lusa authorities discovered abandoned unspecified firearms, munitions and a field radio at two sites near the Baucau police station. "Investigations are under way to determine whether the attack was politically motivated", Martins said.

The incident took place one week after Interior Minister Rogirio Lobato appealed to dissident former anti-Indonesia guerrillas to abandon mountain hideouts and "accept the authority" of the newly independent state.

A group of seven Portuguese teachers who live in Baucau near the targeted police station told Lusa they had not heard any noise during the attack and that they were going about their daily routines normally. The teachers described the city as calm.

Several officers were in the police station when the attack took place just after midnight Sunday, but only one suffered injuries and received treatment at the local hospital before being released.