UXO caches uncovered in both Kandal, Pailin

CACHES of unexploded ordnance were recovered in both Pailin and Kandal provinces on Saturday in what was a busy weekend for the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC).

Twelve DK-82 mortar rounds and two B-41 rocket-propelled grenades were unearthed by canal workers digging behind the Pailin deputy provincial governor’s office on Saturday.

Provincial CMAC director Keo Pov said the recovered explosives were found in poor condition, but could nonetheless have caused harm to people and livestock.

“Each month at least 100 to 200 mines . . . are discovered and collected by our experts for detonation,” Pov said.

Meanwhile, in Kandal province’s Kien Svay district, 50- year-old farmer Kem Mony uncovered two cases of ordnance buried in a jar while hunting for crickets, according to district police chief Pa Sam Ith.

“One [case] is for an M-79 [grenade launcher] and another is for an M-16. They are in 100 percent good condition,” Sam Ith said. “Now they have been impounded at a secure warehouse in Kampong Speu’s Odong district [office] by CMAC.”

Kem Mony said that at first glance he had hoped the jar would turn out to be full of buried treasure.

“In fact, at first I thought that it was wealth – money and jewellery – but when I opened the cover all I could see was the cartridges,” Mony said. “I was very concerned, so I hurried to report them to the police so they could impound them.”