GURUN, June 17 - Two soldiers were killed in a grenade explosion during a training exercise at the Camp Hobart shooting range here yesterday.
Both sustained severe injuries in the 10.57am incident and were pronounced dead en route to Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital (HSAH) in Sungai Petani.
Kuala Muda police chief Hanyan Ramlan, when contacted, confirmed the incident and said police received information about the case at about 12.30pm yesterday.
The army confirmed that the victims were Norazmi Abu Bakar from the 6th Battalion, Royal Malay Regiment, and Siti Khadijah Sungip from the 1st Squadron, Royal Army Engineers Regiment (1 RAJD).
“The incident occurred while they were undergoing RAJD Combat Enhancement Training under the 2nd Infantry Division of the Army. The remains will be sent to Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital in Alor Setar for post-mortem,” the statement read.
It said army chief Tan Sri Azhan Md Othman has ordered an investigation into the incident, and expressed deep sorrow and condolences for the victims’ families’ loss.
The army assured that training safety would be reviewed and improved based on the findings of the investigation.
The Defence Ministry (MINDEF) also expressed condolences to the victims’ families, with Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin saying MINDEF is praying for the next-of-kin to be granted strength.
“I am deeply saddened by the news of the deaths of Corporal Norazmi of the 6th Battalion, Royal Malay Regiment, and Private Siti Khadijah of the 1st Squadron, Royal Army Engineers Regiment, who were killed in the incident.
“Let us all pray that God bestows mercy upon the souls of Corporal Norazmi and Private Siti Khadijah, forgives their sins, and admits them among His faithful servants,” Khaled said in a social media post last night.
Meanwhile, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, also conveyed condolences to the Norazmi and Siti Khadijah’s families.
“Al-Fatihah to the two personnel who were killed in this tragedy. May they be placed among the faithful and the martyrs,” Sultan Ibrahim, who is also Supreme Commander of the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF), said in a Facebook post last night.
The King decreed that the MAF conduct an investigation into the incident and ensure safety aspects are prioritised and strengthened.
