An unexploded mortar shell, suspected to be more than 30 years old and trapped in a fishing net , was handed over to the city police on Monday evening. The ammunition has been sent to the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) in Marudham here for further examination.
Police sources said the shell, abandoned on the sands of Marina behind the Santhome Church by fishermen, was spotted . by youngsters Manibharati (23), his brother Jagadesh (21) and a few others while they were playing cricket. The youngsters, all residents of Nochikuppam, then handed it over to the Marina police station.
Police personnel alerted the BDDS who took the shell to their facility in Marudham complex on Boat Club Road, Adyar.
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Sources with the BDDS ascertained that the object is a 10 cm unexploded shell made of iron and weighing over 1kg . “The mortar ammunition is unexploded and has turned black as it was submerged in seawater We are examining it further to ascertain the make of the weapon,” a BDDS expert said. He added that the shellwasn’t dangerous as all the parts are jammed.