Children killed in grenade blast

KEBUMEN, Central Java: Four boys were killed when a grenade exploded in a pine forest which served as a military training ground in Bonasari village here on Tuesday.

A local police information service was quoted by Antara as saying that it was suspected that the grenade exploded when the children, who were identified as Tri Setiawan, 11, Fajar Andrianto, 10, Cipto Priyono, 9, and Oki Octadari, 11, were playing with it. They lived near the forest, which was their favorite playground.

Nearby residents have been restricted from entering the area since training for new military recruits began on Oct. 8. Wooden planks inscribed with warnings had been placed on every corner.

Despite the warnings, some villagers entered the dangerous zone to collect discarded bullet shells which they later sold.

The incident took place just after a new group of recruits had finished regular training. Police suspected that the grenade was overlooked when military instructors cleared the area.

Chief of local police Lt. Col. Totok Sudhiarto said police and local military commanders were investigating the incident. (amd)