Mines found in S. Sulawesi

SURABAYA: In an operation to hunt mines left over from World War II, the Navy has reportedly found 278 contact devices for submarine mines in the Tanakeke waters in the Galengsong Selatan district, Takalar regency in South Sulawesi. Twenty-five were believed to be active, according to a navy spokesman in Surabaya.

Information officer Commander Ditya Soedarsono said Thursday that the operation called Sapu Bersih Kakulubodo 98 managed to defuse each of the mines in six days recently.

"The war has indeed left a grim legacy in the form of mines which are potentially dangerous to ships along the route," Ditya said.

The defusing of mines was conducted when the navy was helping with the laying of underwater communication cables belonging to PT Telkom, the state-run communications company. (anr)