Two metal cases containing unused grenades, artillery shells and bullets were found on Tuesday in Kampong Chhnang buried beneath an area used by villagers to burn their rubbish.

The cases – which contained eight grenades, 10 artillery shells and 150 rifle bullets – were found by Sao Sarun, 44, from Kampong Chhnang commune’s Srepring village, town police chief Chea Vannak said. Sarun was clearing grass in the area when she hit the metal cases, Vannak said, adding that the area was a staging ground for troops during the Khmer Rouge era.

Officials from mine-clearing agency Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) told Vannak that the UXOs were 50 per cent functional and could explode if heated to a high enough temperature.