"Military training island out of bullet range of neighbouring islands"

Minister of Defence and National Security Adam Shareef Umar denied that the bullet found lodged in a window of Himmafushi island last Wednesday could have been fired from the neighbouring, military training island of Girifushi in Kaafu atoll.

The bullet, which struck the Himmafushi house situated 300 metres from the beach which faces Girifushi, marks the second such incident. The first time, a bullet was found lodged in the door of a house in Himmafushi in 2015.

Though the second bullet was discovered Wednesday, authorities are unsure when it had struck the house. Himmafushi Island Council initially believed that the bullet came from Girifushi as an army training session had taken place in that island recently. However, an island councillor later reported that, according to the police investigation, the origin of the bullet cannot be pinned to Girifushi with full certainty.

Speaking to Mihaaru, Defence Minister Shareef stated that it is impossible for a bullet fired from Girifushi to reach neighboring Himmafushi. He added that MNDF is alert and are working on the case to ensure whether the bullet originated from the military training island.

“MNDF is not being silent; they have been studying the issue since it was reported. There is no threat for the civilians of Himmafushi due to the training sessions in Girifushi."

While the investigative team has declared that the bullet is unlikely to have originated from Girifushi, the range of a 9mm is up to 1,800 metres. The distance between Girifushi and Himmafushi is less than 1000 metres.

Minister Shareef noted that MNDF will soon be giving a press statement, assuring everything necessary to protect the citizens will be done.

According to a senior MNDF official, the bullet was corroded which makes it different from the currently used bullets in Girifushi. Hence, MNDF has tried firing a bullet from Himmafushi to Girifushi to test its range, but the bullet fired did not reach the latter.

The official denied that a bullet could reach Himmafushi from Girifushi.

When asked whether the bullet could have been fired by a local civilian, the official responded that it not possible but assured that in such a scenario, strict safety measures will be taken to keep the citizens safe.