SAF soldier injured after grenade exploded

UPDATE

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has suspended the firing of all its 40mm Automatic Grenade Launchers (AGL) after a soldier sustained injuries when a live grenade round exploded while still inside the weapon.

During a live-firing exercise on Sunday, 21-year-old Specialist Cadet (SCT) Percy Toh Cheng Kai was using a 40mm AGL when one round's propellant exploded prematurely in the weapon.

Mindef spokesman Desmond Tan told The Straits Times (ST): "As a safety precaution, all 40mm AGL live-firing training has been temporarily suspended until the completion of investigations into the cause of the incident."

H said that all safety procedures were followed during the incident, with each shooter being assigned a safety specialist to ensure the correct procedures were executed according to weapon handling guidelines.

"Also present during every live-firing training to reinforce safety regulations is a supervising officer, a conducting officer and a chief safety officer," he said.

SCT Toh's use of the grenade launcher during the live firing exercise was part of a 12-week Specialist Armour Course. He has been training on the grenade launcher for more than a month.

According to ST, the 21-year-old remembered that when the order was given to fire the weapon, which was about an arm's length away from him, he squeezed the trigger and the blast happened.

SAF medical personnel were on hand to attend to SCT Toh immediately, and he was sent to National University Hospital (NUH) where he underwent treatment for shrapnel injuries on his chest, right arm and right cheek.

Col Tan said that SCT Toh was discharged yesterday.

He said: "He is currently recovering at home. SCT Toh's well-being is our priority, and we will continue to provide assistance and support to him and his family."

The NSF told ST that he is recovering well and is looking forward to going back to training.