Latest news with #MilitaryManoeuvresAct
Online Citizen
23-06-2025
- Online Citizen
SAF clarifies safety protocols after cyclist injured in restricted live-firing area
The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has reiterated that all safety measures were strictly followed during a live-firing activity at the Nee Soon 500m Range on 15 June 2025, after a member of the public was injured within a restricted zone. According to an updated statement by the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) on 23 June 2025, the injured individual, a 42-year-old man, had entered a gazetted SAF live-firing area in the Central Catchment Nature Reserve during a scheduled training exercise. The SAF confirmed that the live-firing was conducted 2.3 km away from the site of the incident, with training involving general-purpose machine guns and sniper rifles. The Nee Soon 500m Range is designed to meet international range safety standards. MINDEF stated that all relevant training directives, safety protocols, and control measures were adhered to. Weapons, ammunition, shooting positions, and target placements were compliant with SAF's established guidelines. The range's safety design includes a stop butt and a restricted buffer zone intended to mitigate risks such as ammunition ricochet. These features were validated through simulations and field trials to ensure public safety beyond the zone. Public parks and recreational trails outside the restricted boundary are not affected by these live-firing operations. Safety signs and warning notices were placed at multiple access points to deter unauthorised entry. The police have confirmed that the cyclist is under investigation for wilful trespass under the Military Manoeuvres Act. Investigations are ongoing. The act prohibits unauthorised entry into military training zones and carries a maximum fine of S$1,000. The incident occurred on 15 June 2025, when the man was cycling with friends in a forested area between Upper Seletar and Upper Peirce Reservoirs. He was struck by a bullet and later brought to hospital, where a slug was removed from his lower back. He is reportedly in stable condition. The SAF, in its statement, reaffirmed its commitment to safety and its cooperation with NParks to maintain public awareness of restricted areas. It urged the public to respect signage and not to enter gazetted zones. 'Live-firing areas are dangerous for unauthorised persons. The safety measures are in place not only for the troops but also for public protection,' the statement added. The Nee Soon 500m Range, having been certified safe for use, resumed operations immediately. The next live-firing session is scheduled for 26 June 2025.
AsiaOne
23-06-2025
- AsiaOne
Man hit by bullet at Nee Soon range: Safety protocols adhered to during live firing, says Mindef, Singapore News
All safety protocols, and control measures were adhered to during a live-firing exercise on Sunday (June 15), when a man sustained a gunshot wound in the Nee Soon area, said the Ministry of Defence (Mindef). In a statement released on June 23 (Monday), Mindef said in its update that the weapons, ammunition, shooting positions, and target placements used during the live firing were in compliance with the Singapore Armed Forces' (SAF) stipulated guidelines. It added that the Nee Soon 500m Range was designed and built in accordance with international range safety standards and certified for the firing of weapons such as general-purpose machine guns and sniper rifles. "The Nee Soon 500m Range has been maintained and recertified regularly to be safe for operations. Beyond the stop butt of the range, the restricted area provides a needed safety buffer catering to scenarios such as ammunition ricochet," said Mindef. It added that the buffer was determined through trials and trajectory simulations matching the life-firing activities at the range. "Spaces outside of the restricted area, such as the public parks, designated recreational trails and park connectors in the vicinity of the range, are safe for public use," said the ministry. The 42-year-old man had sustained a gunshot wound while cycling with his friends in a forested area of the Central Catchment Nature Reserve at around 11.40am. The incident occurred between Upper Seletar Reservoir and Upper Peirce Reservoir - an area that is restricted to the public and gazetted for SAF live-firing activities. Warning signs in place: Mindef According to the ministry, clear and visible signs warning the public to keep clear of the restricted area during live-firing were also in place at various entry points around the Nee Soon 500m Range. "The SAF maintains a robust safety framework to ensure the safe conduct of live-firing activities and will continue to work with NParks to ensure safety measures and public warnings regarding restricted areas remain in place," said Mindef, adding that members of the public should also take note of and observe these warnings for their own safety. Mindef also reminded the public that trespassing into restricted areas is also a violation under the Military Manoeuvres Act. The police has confirmed that the cyclist involved in the incident is under investigation for the offence of wilful trespass and that investigations are ongoing, according to Mindef's statement. The Nee Soon 500m Range will resume operations with immediate effect, with the next live-firing activity scheduled to take place on June 26, the ministry added. [[nid:719141]]
Straits Times
23-06-2025
- Straits Times
Cyclist hit by bullet slug: Safety protocols followed during live firing at Nee Soon range, says Mindef
The rider had been cycling on June 15 in the Central Catchment Nature Reserve when he was hit. The area was gazetted for SAF live-firing. ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH Cyclist hit by bullet slug: Safety protocols followed during live firing at Nee Soon range, says Mindef SINGAPORE - The Ministry of Defence (Mindef) said on June 23 that safety protocols were followed at the SAF live-firing range in Nee Soon when a cyclist was hit by a bullet slug near the area on June 15. It added that live-firing activity will resume operation with immediate effect. The next scheduled live-firing activity at the range will take place on June 26. The ministry said in its update on the case on June 23 that based on the Singapore Armed Forces' (SAF) investigation, all relevant training directives, safety protocols and control measures were adhered to during the live-firing activity. The weapons, ammunition, shooting positions and target placements were also in compliance with the SAF's stipulated guidelines, it added. The 42-year-old man was hit in an area gazetted for SAF live-firing around the Nee Soon 500m range while cycling with his friends in a restricted area in the Central Catchment Nature Reserve (CCNR), between the Upper Seletar and Upper Peirce reservoirs. At the time of the incident, an authorised live-firing activity was being conducted by the SAF at the range, which was about 2.3 km away. In its statement on June 23 , Mindef said that the range was designed and built in accordance to international range safety standards, and certified for the firing of weapons such as general-purpose machine guns and sniper rifles. The cyclist, seen here in an undated photo, did not initially disclose to police and NUH that he had been riding near the Nee Soon live-firing range. PHOTO: SOCIAL MEDIA It added that beyond the stop butt of the range, the restricted area provides a needed safety buffer catering to scenarios such as ammunition ricochet - this was determined through trials and trajectory simulations matching the life-firing activities at the range. 'The SAF maintains a robust safety framework to ensure the safe conduct of live-firing activities, and will continue to work with NParks to ensure safety measures and public warnings regarding restricted areas remain in place,' said Mindef. 'The SAF seeks the public's cooperation in staying out of restricted areas for live-firing for their own safety. Trespassing into such areas is also a violation under the Military Manoeuvres Act.' The cyclist involved in the incident is under investigation for the offence of wilful trespass. Last week, The Straits Times learnt that the cyclist and his friends may have have taken steps to conceal from the authorities the route they took on June 15. ST found on June 17 that there are prominent signs around the park warning of a live-firing area and for visitors to keep clear. However, some cyclists and hikers choose to ignore these signs, with some in the riding community mapping out unofficial and 'more elusive tracks'. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Online Citizen
19-06-2025
- Online Citizen
Man shot during SAF live-firing exercise faces investigation for wilful trespass
A man who was shot while cycling in a restricted area during a Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) live-firing drill is being investigated for wilful trespass, according to police on 18 June 2025. The 42-year-old was cycling with friends around 11.40am on 15 June 2025 when he was hit by a bullet in a forested area between Upper Seletar and Upper Peirce Reservoirs. This area falls within a gazetted zone for SAF live-firing activities. According to MINDEF, the live-firing was being conducted at SAF's Nee Soon 500m Range, approximately 2.3km from where the incident occurred. The cyclist's friends brought him to hospital, where doctors found and removed a bullet slug lodged in his left lower back. He was reported to be in stable condition following surgery. Under the Military Manoeuvres Act, unauthorised access to SAF gazetted areas is prohibited for safety. Wilful trespass involves knowingly entering government or protected areas without valid reason and carries a fine of up to S$1,000.
New Paper
18-06-2025
- New Paper
Man hit by bullet in restricted area near SAF live-firing exercise
A man was injured in his back by a bullet and sought medical assistance at a hospital, the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) said on June 16. The 42-year-old man suffered a gunshot wound on June 15 and a bullet slug was lodged in his left lower back, the police said on June 16. His injury is not life-threatening, added the police, with the man currently in a stable condition after surgery to remove the bullet. The man had been cycling with his friends at around 11.40am on June 15 within a restricted area of the Central Catchment Nature Reserve (CCNR) - between the Upper Seletar and Upper Peirce reservoirs - that was gazetted for Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) live-firing, said a Mindef spokesman. His friends took him to the National University Hospital. An SAF authorised live-firing exercise at its Nee Soon Range was ongoing about 2.3km from the site where the man was injured. Live-firing activities at the range have been suspended. Under the Military Manoeuvres Act, unauthorised individuals are not allowed to enter gazetted areas designated for SAF live-firing for their own safety, said Mindef. The area has signs warning against unauthorised entry, said the police. The CCNR is Singapore's largest nature reserve, with more than 2,000ha of forest land and over 20km of trails, according to the National Parks Board (NParks). Investigations by the police and SAF are ongoing. No foul play is suspected. An avid cyclist, who did not want to be named, said the Woodcutter's Trail - which cuts across the CCNR and is within the restricted live-firing area - is popular with experienced riders looking for steep hills. Cyclists typically start from Chestnut Nature Park, off Bukit Panjang, and ride 6km to get to the trail, usually exiting it near Mandai Crematorium or Seletar Reservoir, he said. The cycling trail corresponds with the description of the restricted area where the cyclist was injured on June 15. "Cyclists are aware that some areas in the reserve are military areas, and I have come across soldiers doing their exercises. They usually make way for us," said the cyclist, adding that riders have even hit the trail at night. "There were also some cyclists who were stopped by NParks officials as they left the trail. Some cyclists turn back to ride uphill to Chestnut Nature Park to escape enforcement action." Another cyclist, who also did not want to be named, said he has been biking on the trail for some 17 years. "It is worrying because, while illegal due to NParks regulations, this trail is frequented by hikers, runners and cyclists," he said, adding that there are signs warning against entering the area. He said he had encountered soldiers on multiple occasions while using the trail. During a visit to Chestnut Nature Park on June 16, The Straits Times saw clear signs demarcating the restricted areas. The park has two designated trails for hiking and one for mountain biking, as well as obstacle courses for cyclists. The trails are open daily from 7am to 7pm. A group of hikers there, all of whom declined to be named, said they were unaware that there were restricted areas in the park. They added that they were hiking there for the first time. In response to ST's queries, NParks said visitors to nature reserves and nature parks should stay on the designated trails for their own safety. These trails are identified by map boards, directional signs and trail markers. "NParks takes enforcement action on visitors who disregard signs and choose to go off-trail. These visitors endanger their own safety and may also cause damage to sensitive habitats," said the spokesman. In a statement to ST, the Singapore Cycling Federation (SCF) said it is not aware of the individual's identity, or the extent of his injury. "At SCF, safety is our top priority. We are committed to promoting responsible cycling practices and adhering to all safety guidelines and regulations. We strongly advise the cycling community to respect restricted areas and follow designated routes to ensure their safety and the safety of others," it said.
