Two Malaysian soldiers, Corporal Norazmi Abu Bakar, 40, and Private Siti Khadijah Sungip, 24, died from injuries in an explosion during a grenade-throwing training exercise at Hobart Camp in Gurun on June 16, 2026, at about 10:57 AM [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. Both were part of the Second Malaysian Infantry Division's Royal Army Engineers Regiment during Combat Enhancement Training.
The soldiers were rushed to Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital in Sungai Petani but were pronounced dead en route [1, 2, 5]. Corporal Norazmi’s post-mortem took place around 2:30 AM on June 17 at Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital’s forensic department in Alor Setar [1, 5].
Norazmi’s body was then brought to his family home in Kampung Tupah Lama, Merbok. He was buried with full military honours at Masjid Al Busyra Muslim cemetery in Merbok at 5:25 AM on June 17, attended by more than 300 people including military personnel and family [1, 2, 5]. Brigadier-General Mohd Fouzi Sulaiman presented the Malaysian flag to Norazmi’s widow, Siti Fairuz Mohd Yusof, as a symbol of respect and gratitude [2, 5].
Norazmi served in the 6th Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment. He leaves behind two children, aged 13 or 14 and 8 [2, 5]. Private Siti Khadijah was from the 1st Squadron Royal Engineers Regiment, and her remains were returned to her hometown in Johor [1, 2, 5].
The night before the explosion, Norazmi unexpectedly returned home around 11:30 PM on June 15 to visit his family and eat a meal prepared by his mother, Fatimah Ismail. She recalled his unusual affection during that visit and a heavy heart she felt about letting him go: "Usually, when he leaves the house, I just watch him normally, but yesterday, I waited until his car disappeared. I do not know why, but I felt immense affection for him and a heavy heart about letting him go" [3, 4].
The Royal Malaysian Army is continuing its investigation into the cause of the explosion at Hobart Camp.
