JP/8/GREAT

JP/8/GREAT

Mortar found near council compound

BEKASI: Two workers uncovered an artillery mortar buried in
the banks of Kali Malang River on Thursday, across from the
Bekasi Council buildings compound.

As of Friday, the police had yet to determine the age of the
mortar or whether it was still active.

The 20 centimeter-long, 15-cm diameter munition was found
buried under 60cm of dirt by Senen, 51, and Pardi, 36, who were
working on a sewer.

No realizing what they had found, the two cleaned the mortar
on the river bank. Their supervisor, Suwardi, later examined the
object and alerted police.

Bekasi Police chief Sr. Comr. Bachtiar Hasanudin Tambunan said
the mortar was under the examination of the National Police's
Laboratory and Forensics Center. -- JP