Gurun: Investigations into last month's grenade explosion at Kem Hobart in Gurun, Kedah, have found that the grenade's safety lever likely released before the throw could be completed.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin stated that the conclusion was based on the blast location, evidence at the scene, and analysis of the injury patterns sustained by both victims. The Board of Inquiry (BOI) findings indicated that the grenade had activated before it could be thrown, exploding while still near the upper bodies of both personnel involved.
"The investigation found that the thrower sustained serious injuries to the head and right hand, while the handler suffered serious injuries to the head, torso, and left limbs," Mohamed Khaled said. However, he added that the absence of eyewitnesses meant investigators could not determine at which point the safety lever had released.
The tragedy, which occurred on June 16, claimed the lives of two Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) personnel during a grenade-throwing exercise at the camp. Mohamed Khaled said the investigation, launched immediately after the BOI was established on June 17, was conducted comprehensively across several levels of Army command, ensuring that technical aspects, procedural compliance, and witness testimonies were all thoroughly examined.
"According to training procedures, grenades are maintained in stages with multiple layers of safety such as clips, pins, and safety levers. The explosive will only activate when the safety lever is released, and will detonate within approximately five seconds," he said.
Following the findings, Mohamed Khaled stressed that the Defence Ministry and MAF would strengthen safety procedures, grenade-handling protocols, supervision levels, and training execution to prevent such incidents from recurring. "The safety of every personnel remains a top priority. There is no compromise in ensuring that all training is carried out with the highest levels of compliance, supervision, and safety," he said.