Mortar Shell Explosion in West Bandung Kills Three Civilians

Three residents died as a result of an 81-millimetre mortar shell explosion in Kampung Ciparang, Cipatat Village, Cipatat District, West Bandung Regency, on Wednesday (8/7). The victims have been identified as Ade (21), Suhri (51), and Rodiana (40). Cipatat Police Chief Kompol DMS Andriani Sapin stated that according to witness accounts, an explosion was heard coming from Ade’s house. When residents checked, they found the three victims already lying on the ground. ‘During the evacuation by residents, there was still a mortar round remaining,’ Andriani said. One victim was successfully evacuated but died while receiving treatment at the hospital, while the other two died at the scene. Based on a local investigation, it was discovered that the three victims frequently collected spent ammunition casings from a nearby Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) training area. ‘The type of ammunition found at the scene was a tank shell (tampela),’ he added. There has been no statement or explanation from the TNI regarding the incident.