The Malaysian Army has temporarily halted all hand grenade training activities following a deadly blast during training at Hobart Camp in Kedah on June 16, 2026, at approximately 10:57 a.m. [1, 2]
The explosion killed two personnel: Private Siti Khadijah Sungip, 24, from the 1st Squadron Royal Engineer Regiment, and Corporal Norazmi Abu Bakar, 40, of the 6th Battalion Royal Malay Regiment. Both were severely injured in the blast and died en route to Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital in Sungai Petani. [3, 1, 4, 2]
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin ordered an immediate suspension of hand grenade training until a board of inquiry finishes a thorough investigation. [3, 1, 4, 2] He said, "What went wrong there must be investigated. According to technical guidelines, once the pin is pulled, it must be thrown within seven seconds." [3]
The investigation will examine technical factors related to the weapons, the standard operating procedures followed, and the mental state and preparedness of the personnel involved at the time of the incident. [3, 1, 4, 2] The Defence Minister emphasized the need for an expedited inquiry and instructed that the full report be submitted directly to him upon completion. [3, 4]
In remarks released in Mandarin, the Defence Minister added, "究竟当时是哪个环节出现了失误？这必须彻查。涉案军人当时是否因为过度紧张或其他原因？我不想在现阶段做出任何揣测，一切交由调查报告定夺。一旦发现任何机制上的弱点，将立即进行提升与改进。" This stressed the importance of pinpointing any errors or procedural weaknesses during the training session. [1]
The investigation will address whether the established guidelines, such as the requirement to throw the grenade within seven seconds after pulling the pin, were followed or if any deviations occurred. [3, 1, 4, 2]
The Defence Minister also extended condolences to the families of the two servicemen who lost their lives in the accident. [3, 1, 4, 2]
The suspension remains in effect until the board of inquiry completes its investigation into the fatal blast at Hobart Camp.
