UXO cache uncovered in Battambang

A man lies in the back of a vehicle yesterday morning in Pursat province after he stepped on a landmine. Photo supplied

Authorities recovered 65 pieces of unexploded ordnance (UXO) in a forest in Battambang province’s Anlong Vil commune on Wednesday, police said yesterday.

According to Sangke district police chief Sun Sovann, Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) officials found 12 60-mm mortars, 35 fragments of 60-mm and 100-mm explosives, three B-40 and one B-41 rocket-propelled grenades, 13 anti-personnel mines, and a 107-mm rocket in the forest.

“The UXO have been impounded at CMAC unit for future detonation,” he said.

Meanwhile, the destructive effect of UXO was felt in Pursat province’s Veal Veng district, where a man’s right leg was blown off after he stepped on a landmine while collecting herbs with his brother and neighbours in a forest yesterday.

“The forest, located along the Thai border, is the site of a former battle field in the war between the government of the People’s Republic of Kampuchea and Khmer Rouge troops,” district police chief Teang Leng said. “So there are plenty of mines laid there.”

The victim, Din Sopkeak 27, was sent to a hospital in Trat province in Thailand.

Contact author: Khouth Sophak Chakrya

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