Active Grenade Found in BPN Makassar Area, Gegana Team Conducts Disposal
The bomb disposal team from the Gegana Unit of the Sulawesi Selatan Regional Police Mobile Brigade secured one pineapple-type grenade found in a rubbish bin near a mosque in the backyard of the National Land Agency (BPN) Makassar office on Wednesday.
The Gegana Detachment Commander of the Sulawesi Selatan Police Mobile Brigade, Police Commissioner Mansur, stated that the grenade was discovered following a report received from the public.
“According to the information, there was a grenade found behind the BPN office. After the report came in, we immediately prepared personnel to carry out the evacuation,” Mansur told reporters in Makassar.
He explained that the grenade was then secured and taken to a safe location for destruction. The disposal was carried out in an open area on Jalan Metro Tanjung Bunga, which was deemed far from residential areas.
“We immediately took the grenade for disposal at a sterile location safe from public activities,” he said.
Before the destruction, the team first notified nearby residents about the possibility of an explosion sound. Mansur assured that the grenade was still in an active condition and posed a potential danger.
“From its characteristics, the grenade is still active, so it is very dangerous if not secured immediately,” he stated.
The grenade was first discovered by cleaning staff while preparing to move rubbish to a truck. The find was then reported by the BPN office security guard to the police.
An eyewitness and BPN Makassar security guard, Ahmad Awaluddin, said the grenade was found around 08:48 WITA, mixed in with the rubbish.
“It was found by the cleaning staff. The condition was intact, rusted, and the fuse was still attached,” he said.
After the report was received, the Gegana team arrived at the location around 09:00 WITA and immediately secured the area before evacuating the grenade. As of now, the situation at the location is reported to be safe and under control.
The police are still conducting an investigation to uncover the origin of the grenade, including the possibility of intentional elements or suspected terrorism. The police have also collected witness statements and surveillance camera (CCTV) recordings from around the location.