Latest news with #livefiring
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Yahoo
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. 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'. Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction Discover how to enjoy other premium articles here
Malay Mail
23-06-2025
- Malay Mail
Singapore Armed Forces resumes Nee Soon live-firing after cyclist injured in restricted zone; trespass probe ongoing
SINGAPORE, June 23 — The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has resumed operations at its live-firing range in Nee Soon, a week after a cyclist was injured by a bullet slug near the area on June 15. The Ministry of Defence (Mindef) said the 42-year-old man had entered a restricted part of the Central Catchment Nature Reserve between Upper Seletar and Upper Peirce reservoirs, where live-firing activity was being conducted approximately 2.3km away, according to a report published in The Straits Times today. The man was cycling with friends in the vicinity of the Nee Soon 500m range, which had been gazetted as a live-firing area. Mindef confirmed that the SAF had adhered to all relevant training directives, safety protocols, and control measures during the live-firing exercise. 'The weapons, ammunition, shooting positions and target placements were in compliance with the SAF's stipulated guidelines,' the ministry said in a statement on June 23. It added that the range was designed and constructed according to international safety standards and certified for use with weapons including sniper rifles and general-purpose machine guns. A safety buffer beyond the range's stop butt, forming part of the restricted area, accounts for potential ammunition ricochet and was determined through trajectory simulations and trials. Mindef emphasised that the SAF upholds a robust safety framework and will continue to work with the National Parks Board (NParks) to maintain public awareness and safety in restricted zones. 'The SAF seeks the public's cooperation in staying out of restricted areas for live-firing for their own safety,' said the ministry. It also noted that trespassing into such areas is an offence under the Military Manoeuvres Act. The injured cyclist is currently under investigation for wilful trespass.
CNA
23-06-2025
- CNA
Safety protocols adhered to in incident involving cyclist hit by bullet near Nee Soon range: MINDEF
SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) on Monday (Jun 23) said that investigations following an incident that involved a cyclist who suffered a gunshot wound near the Nee Soon 500m Range showed that all relevant training directives, safety protocols and control measures were adhered to during the live-firing activity. MINDEF, in a press release, said that the weapons, ammunition, shooting positions and target placements were in compliance with the SAF's (Singapore Armed Forces) stipulated guidelines. "The Nee Soon 500m 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," said MINDEF. "Targets can be placed up to a maximum distance of 500m from the firing point during such training." MINDEF also said that 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," MINDEF added. "This safety buffer was determined through trials and trajectory simulations matching the life-firing activities at the range." Clear and visible signs warning the public to keep clear of the restricted area for live-firing were also in place at various entry points leading to the restricted area around the range. A 42-year-old man suffered a gunshot wound on Jun 15 while cycling in a restricted forested area near the range, where the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) was conducting a live-firing activity. At the time of the incident, an authorised live-firing activity was being conducted by the SAF at the range, about 2.3 km away. The police have confirmed that the cyclist involved in the incident is under investigation for the offence of wilful trespass and that investigations are ongoing. "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. "MINDEF seeks the public's cooperation in staying out of restricted areas for live-firing for their own safety." MINDEF also reminded members of the public that trespassing into such areas is also a violation under the Military Manoeuvres Act. The Nee Soon 500m range will resume operation with immediate effect, it added. The next scheduled live firing activity at the range will take place on Jun 26.
CNA
22-06-2025
- CNA
Thrill factor, limited alternatives push some cyclists to enter trails in restricted areas
SINGAPORE: The sun was blazing down on Sunday (Jun 22) morning but Singapore's largest nature park was buzzing with life. The car park was close to full, with mountain bikes being lifted off vehicles and rapidly assembled, before their owners mounted them and whizzed off into the forest at Chestnut Nature Park. There are more than 10 official biking routes, and they appeared far more popular and more heavily utilised than the hiking routes, during the two hours that CNA visited. Along an 8.2km stretch, divided into two sections, are also entrances to other less official routes. One of these is Woodcutter's Trail, in a restricted area where the public is forbidden from entering. Media reports have suggested that this could be where a man suffered a gunshot wound last week, while cycling near Nee Soon Range where the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) was conducting a live-firing activity. The 42-year-old cyclist was taken to hospital by his friends. He was in a stable condition after surgery to remove a bullet slug lodged in his left lower back. Police said the man had been cycling with friends in a forested area of the Central Catchment Nature Reserve between Upper Seletar Reservoir and Upper Peirce Reservoir. "The public is not allowed to access that particular area, which has signage warning against unauthorised entry into a live-firing area," the police said. Authorities later said on Wednesday that the cyclist was now under investigation for wilful trespass. "ALL ABOUT PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY" Those who spoke to CNA on Sunday said it was not uncommon for cyclist to enter restricted areas within the Central Catchment Nature Reserve. "I'm not surprised because there are some illegal trails that people would go on," said Mr Mike Jayona. "The (trail on the) inside is more challenging ... for more thrill-seekers, and (those) looking for that rush." CNA understands Woodcutter's Trail is in particular is known for its mix of undulating, rough and undisturbed terrain which appeals to some bikers. Another cyclist, who requested to remain anonymous, said: "At the end of the day, it's all about personal responsibility, and also a bit of common sense. If you hear that live firing is going on, and they still decide to venture in, then they have to pay for the consequence." While official trails were teeming with cyclists on Sunday, CNA did not observe any bikers or hikers ignoring the prominent red and yellow signs warning of live firing areas along the Chestnut North Loop. Chestnut is one of four parks offering mountain bike trails in land-scarce Singapore. The others are Kent Ridge Park, Dairy Farm Nature Park and Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. Offshore Pulau Ubin also has a mountain bike park. The anonymous cyclist told CNA it would help for the National Parks Board (NParks) to design some of its more challenging trails - such as the Bukit Timah Mountain Bike Trail - to be more "user-friendly". "If BT (Bukit Timah) is safer, then I guess more people won't be tempted to go on other illegal trails because in terms of thrill factor, BT is also quite challenging," he said, citing the limited number of trails for beginners. On the mainland, Chestnut Nature Park appears to be the only venue offering a beginner-level trail. "It doesn't make sense for you to take a drop or a jump and land into a pile of rocks," the cyclist added. "At the end of the day, we are not idiots and we are not people who want to break the law ... But it's getting very limited in terms of the available trails and it's also very crowded." Another cyclist who only wanted to be known as Barry also added that he now avoids Bukit Timah Mountain Bike trail because it gets "very, very" congested on weekends. But he said that opening up more trails would not completely stop people from venturing off the beaten path, he added. "If you ask me, I'd say yes it would help. But will it deter people from going into unmarked trails? No.
CNA
19-06-2025
- General
- CNA
A look at some weapons used by SAF for live-firing exercises
Scroll up for the next video X A look at some weapons used by SAF for live-firing exercises
