SAF officer receives Chief of Army coin for his bravery in hand grenade incident

SINGAPORE: A Singapore Armed Forces officer has received the Chief of Army coin for his brave act in saving a recruit during a hand grenade incident.

Major—General Ravinder Singh, who is the Chief of Army, visited both men in hospital on Saturday and found them in good spirits.

He also presented the Chief of Army Coin to Second Lieutenant Kamalasivam Shanmuganathan for his bravery.

The Coin is given to soldiers who have performed well and have gone beyond the call of duty.

During a live hand grenade training on Friday, recruit Abdul Hamid Abdul Smad accidentally released the hand grenade lever while pulling out the safety pin.

Second Lieutenant Kamalasivam immediately instructed Hamid to throw the grenade towards the designated impact area, before he pulled Hamid down and shielded him with his body.

Both men were injured and received treatment at Changi General Hospital.

They have since been been discharged.

— CNA/ck