“The accident that occurred to the late Lance Corporal Mohamad Azrin is a loss to the country.

“His passing will definitely be felt not only by his family, but also his comrades-in-arms,” Zamrose said at a press conference after witnessing the burial ceremony at the Kampung Pinang Dalam Muslim Cemetery here today.

Azrin was laid to rest at about 2pm.

Zamrose said the army also conveyed its condolences to the late soldier’s wife, Nor Aqila Syafiqa Safuan, as well as his family members.

He said assistance will be given to the deceased’s heirs based on the Permanent Forces Regulations (Pension, Gratuity and Other Benefits) 1982.

“The provision of death benefits will be awarded to his widow and children, as well as his parents, which takes into account the deceased’s duration of service in the armed forces, namely seven years, four months and 20 days,” he said.

Zamrose said the deceased’s next of kin were also given immediate assistance of RM4,500 including funeral arrangements and dependent donation.

“The army is very concerned with the welfare of each and every personnel affected by accidents and loss of life, whether while performing operational duties or during training,” he said.

Azrin was a member of the Pathfinder Company (Para) team, and is believed to have drowned while undergoing the Para Predator military exercise on Sunday.

He was undergoing a tactical training phase crossing Sungai Pahang from Kampung Batu Bor to Kampung Bohor Baru when he went missing at 4.40pm.

His body was found by the villagers in Kampung Serengkam, Maran, about 70km from the scene, at 8.15am yesterday.

The Para Predator is a 14-day exercise involving 1,894 military personnel from the 10th Parachute Brigade from Melaka, as well as 151 army logistics assets.