A primary school clerk was killed when a package he collected from the roof of a car exploded in his hands here today, police said.

Mohd Yusrizal Mat Zain, 32, had taken the package from the roof of a car belonging to his brother-in-law parked in front of his mother-in-law's house in Taman Seri Periuk, Kampung Periuk, at about 11 am, said Kelantan CID chief ACP Lai Yong Heng.

He suffered injuries in both hands and the body and died on the spot, Lai told reporters at the scene.

Lai said Mohd Yusrizal was from Kampung Kenor, Kuala Krai, and had worked as a clerk at Sekolah Rendah Kebangsaan Manik Urai, Kuala Krai.

He had come to visit his in-laws last night.

Mohd Yusrizal was married and had a four-month-old daughter.

The explosion damaged the Naza Citra car, on which the package had been placed, as well as a Perodua Alza car parked next to it.

The sound of the explosion jolted the residents of the housing estate and nearby villages, and they rushed to the spot to learn what had happened.

Mohd Yusrizal's brother-in-law, who declined to be identified, said Mohd Yusrizal and his family had arrived at their home last night in conjunction with Aidilfitri.

He said the black package on the roof of the car was first spotted by Mohd Yusrizal's wife as soon as she opened the front door of the house and Mohd Yusrizal walked over to collect it.

He said the explosion badly injured Mohd Yusrizal's hands and abdomen.

A neighbour, Kamaruddin Che Mat, 56, said the explosion rocked the neighbourhood and when he rushed over to the spot he found Mohd Yusrizal's wife crying over the body of her husband.