Soldier detained for three days over colleague's shooting at firing range

A Malaysian soldier is being held for three days as part of an investigation into a shooting incident that injured a colleague at the Sungai Menyala firing range in Port Dickson. The suspect's remand order was approved by a Magistrate's Court assistant registrar and is effective from August 13 to August 15.

The incident reportedly took place around 2:15 p.m. on the previous day. According to police, the injured soldier sustained injuries to the right side of his face, with the bullet penetrating his lower left jaw. He was initially treated at Port Dickson Hospital before being transferred to Tuanku Ja’afar Hospital in Seremban for further examination and treatment, where he is reported to be in stable condition.

The Malaysian Army confirmed the incident occurred during a dry-firing exercise. The soldier conducting the exercise reportedly fired towards a target at a 25-meter distance without realizing his colleague, Trooper Muhammad Akhmal Shahrudin, was positioned behind the target. This oversight led to the accidental shooting.

Details of the injury indicate the bullet caused a wound on the right cheek that passed through the lower left jaw. The Army has not provided further details on the circumstances surrounding the exercise or the specific protocols that may have been breached.