Three Killed in West Bandung Mortar Explosion, Suspected of Scavenging Spent Ammunition

Ade (21), Suhri (40), and Rodiana (40), residents of Kampung Ciparang, Cipatat District, West Bandung Regency, West Java, were killed in a tragic explosion on Wednesday (8/7). The blast is believed to have been caused by a mortar they had scavenged. The three victims were buried on Thursday (9/7). Following the incident, police swiftly secured the location and began investigating the origin of the ammunition.

Eyewitness Damet (43) recounted hearing a loud explosion and was asked by neighbours to check the source. He found the three victims lying on the ground with severe injuries and covered in blood. Police and military personnel later arrived to evacuate the bodies and process the crime scene. A bomb disposal team from the West Java Police was deployed to secure any remaining ammunition.

Damet noted that the victims often collected spent ammunition from the Army Infantry Education Centre (Pusdikif) training area, although their main occupation was farming. He suspected they were attempting to dismantle a mortar at Ade’s house, as a hammer and chisel were found at the scene. Lieutenant Colonel Inf Sunarya, Head of the Engineering Department at Pusdikif, stated that the type and ownership of the explosive device could not yet be confirmed, pending laboratory results from the police bomb squad. He added that other units, such as the Cavalry Education Centre (Pusdikkav), also conduct training and use mortars in the area.

Cipatat Police Chief, Commissioner DMS Andriani, emphasised that entering military training areas and collecting spent shell casings or ammunition is strictly prohibited and extremely dangerous. She confirmed the victims were known to scavenge for spent casings and urged any residents still holding such materials to surrender them to the authorities immediately to prevent further tragedies.