The local authorities in the central highlands province of Dak Nong successfully dismantled and safely detonated over 18 bombs and artillery shells found by local farmers on March 24. The provincial Engineer Service Office and the armed force of Dak R'lap District removed a total of 440kg of bombs and warheads. There is one 226kg MK82 bomb filled with 87kg of tritonal explosive. They also discovered six 155mm artillery shells, five 105mm shells and six mortars. On March 12, while pulling up the rubber trees to replace them with pepper and coffee plants, Pham Thi Vin, a local in Hung Binh Commune, found a MK82 bomb that was only 40 to 50cm underground. He immediately reported the find to communal authorities. On March 20, the Military Command Committee of Dak R'lap District also removed an artillery shell found by Huynh Van Binh in Nghia Thang District. Binh discovered shells while cultivating the land. The Ho Chi Minh road runs through Dak Nong Province to the Central Highlands and Southeast region. During the American War, this area was subject to fierce fighting and bombed heavily. The remaining unexploded ordnance continues to pose high risks to local people. (Dan Tri Mar 25)
