A routine search for bamboo shoots took a dangerous turn when a woman stumbled upon a mortar bomb near her family member's residence in Taman Tanjung Minyak. The incident unfolded during the evening hours, casting a shadow over what was meant to be a cheerful occasion: her mother's birthday celebration.
Assistant Commissioner Christopher Patit, the Central Melaka District Police Chief, revealed that news of the discovery reached authorities at around 3:15 PM after a report was filed at the Tanjung Minyak Police Station.
According to Patit, the woman, aged 32, had come to her sibling's house for a vacation and was in the midst of using the outdoor area to cook a dish to commemorate her mother's birthday.
"At 3:05 PM, she ventured into the nearby bushes in search of bamboo shoots for her recipe. However, her mission took a startling turn when she encountered an object that appeared to be a bomb. Acting swiftly, she contacted the Tanjung Minyak Police Station to report her discovery," Patit stated during a press briefing.
Following the woman's call, law enforcement officials conducted an examination at the scene. The bomb was found beneath a Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) power cable, positioned approximately 30 meters away from the witness's residence.
By 5:30 PM, a team of officers and armed personnel had arrived on-site to conduct a comprehensive search of the area. Despite their efforts, no other suspicious objects were found in the vicinity. Upon closer inspection, it was determined that the reported object was a 60-millimeter (mm) mortar bomb, exhibiting signs of rust and indicating that it had potentially been discharged.
Importantly, Patit clarified that the bomb did not contain any explosive materials. Consequently, it was safely transported back to the appropriate facility for further evaluation and action, as the location was deemed unsuitable for its disposal.
As described by Patit, the bomb measured 30 centimeters (cm) in length, had a circumference of 20 cm, and a diameter of 60 mm.
Source: Kosmo!
