Police have recovered quite a number of dented half cut splinters of explosive ordnance from the house that exploded in Taman Ria Mesra, Gurun yesterday.

Kedah Criminal Investigation Department Chief ACP Nashir Ya said some of the objects had marks which indicated its usage by the Malaysian Security Forces.

He said they also found a big number of banned firecrackers behind the house.

"Following investigations and the size of the seat of explosion found at the scene, it indicated that it was caused by a powerful blast and not due to a gas cylinder," he said in a statement here today.

Yesterday, three people were killed including two children, while two others seriously injured in an explosion at a house in Taman Ria Mesra, Gurun at around 4.45pm.

The explosion killed Ayob Hassim, 34, an army personnel at Kem Hobart, Gurun, his eight-year-old daughter Hidayah Ayob, and his neighbour's son, Afiq Lokman Mohd Sharizal, 5, while Ayob's wife Sharifah Haslinda Hashim, 30, and neighbour Zuraida Mat Robete, 30, was severely injured.

Nashir said before the explosion, a witness saw a person, described as an army personnel in Gurun,
allegedly grinding an object similar to a mortar bomb behind his house.

He said, police investigations will focus on how the explosive ordnance had been obtained and why was an army personnel allegedly grinding a bomb.

"The seat of explosion measuring one meter in radius was located behind the house of the army personnel.

"The explosion had resulted in the death of three people, while two others were seriously injured. Another person however suffered only minor injuries and received outpatient treatment.

"40 homes in the area were also damaged due to the blast," he said.