Papua police safely dispose suspected WWII mortar bomb

hartono · Jun 4, 2026

Papua police safely dispose suspected WWII mortar bomb

An object believed to be a World War II era mortar bomb in the area of Ariyau Street in Sentani Sub-district. (ANTARA/HO-Humas Polres Jayapura)

Jayapura (ANTARA) - Papua Police's bomb disposal unit safely destroyed a suspected World War II mortar bomb found in Jayapura District after residents discovered the object while fishing, police said on Wednesday.

The suspected mortar bomb was discovered by a resident fishing with friends near the Ariyau River in Sentani Sub-district.

Sentani Police Chief Adjunct Commissioner Bernadus Yunus Ick said officers responded after receiving a report at 2:30 p.m. local time and immediately went to the scene.

"Upon arriving, officers secured and sterilized the area while questioning witnesses to determine the circumstances surrounding the discovery," he said.

After coordinating with the Gegana unit, a bomb disposal team led by First Inspector Sharul Mubarak arrived at 4:35 p.m. local time and followed standard disposal procedures.

The disposal operation was completed safely at 6:45 p.m. local time, with the materials secured by bomb disposal officers for further handling.

Ick said witnesses told police they were fishing at around 11:00 a.m. local time when they dug the ground to install a fish trap.

"While digging, they found a metal object resembling a banana blossom," he said.

Shortly afterward, the object emitted smoke. Realizing the danger after a friend identified it as a bomb, they left the area and informed relatives, who contacted police, he added.

A preliminary examination indicated the object was a World War II-era mortar bomb measuring about 85 centimeters long, 18 centimeters wide, and weighing around 10 kilograms.

Ick said the mortar bomb still posed a potential danger and required handling by trained personnel.

He urged residents not to touch, move, or attempt to open suspicious objects believed to contain explosive materials.

"Immediately report such findings to police so they can be handled safely and professionally," Ick said, adding wartime ammunition remnants may still exist in parts of Jayapura District.