Dozens of mortar shells found

MANOKWARI, Papua: Local residents here found on Friday 69 mortar shells, apparently a legacy of World War II.

The mortars were found in Wosi, where locals were excavating a plot of land behind the house of Hendrik Mardi, a local government official, during a construction project.

Adj. Sr. Comr. Dedi Kusnadi, Manokwari Police chief, said that the bomb squad was immediately sent to the site upon receiving a report on the finding. They determined that the finds were live mortar shells.

The mortars are 46 centimeters long with a 9.5-centimeter diameter. The shells have been dumped into the deep sea off Manokwari to prevent any mishaps.

Dedi said the finding was not surprising, as Wosi was used as a military base by the Japanese during World War II. -- Antara