IPOH: A policeman suffered a gunshot wound to his ear while undergoing firearms training in Ulu Kinta here last Tuesday.
The training was conducted at the Close-Quarter Battle (CQB) Training Complex VAT 69 Commando shooting range.
Perak police chief Datuk Azizi Mat Aris said the incident happened around 2.15pm when the victim, a 27-year-old lance corporal, was injured in the left ear after a senior officer with the rank of inspector accidentally discharged a firearm near him.
He said the victim, who is attached to the Dungun police headquarters' Narcotics Criminal Investigation Division in Terengganu, was attending a firearms-handling course along with 46 other trainees.
The victim is now in stable condition and only required outpatient treatment at Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun (HRPB).
"After the incident, several instructors, including the medical team, provided first aid to the victim to stop the bleeding.
"The victim suffered a wound on the side of his left ear and was taken to HRPB, where he was reported to be in stable condition and given outpatient treatment," he said today.
Azizi mentioned that the training involved theoretical firearms handling and static-front shooting at a distance of seven metres.
During the afternoon session, he said the trainees were instructed to unload their weapons before beginning training under the supervision of instructors.
"After a check on their weapons and it was confirmed that there were no bullets loaded, the training continued with a review on techniques of loading and unloading the firearms.
"Then, a gunshot suddenly went off and a bullet grazed the victim's ear. However, the training continued with heightened safety measures," he said.
He added that an investigation paper had been opened on the incident.