Bombshells found in village

BANDA ACEH, Aceh: Police have removed 33 bombshells and 10 cannon balls, believed remnants from the World War II, recently discovered in a village near here.

The munitions, which are still live, were discovered in the Lhoonraya village after one of them exploded last week, injuring a 15-year old boy, the Antara news agency reported.

They were buried underground. It was not immediately clear whether they belonged to the Dutch or the Japanese forces.

Major. Sudjiman, spokesman of the Aceh Police, said the munitions had been removed by the bomb squad.

Local villagers, not aware of the risks, used the bombshell to build a stove when it exploded, according to Sudjiman.

The projectiles varied in length between 20 and 30 cm but they were so rusty that identification was impossible.

Police meanwhile are sending teams to inform villagers not to keep projectiles which they may have found because of the risks. (emb)