Pinrang, S. Sulawesi. An unexploded aircraft bomb weighing about 50 kilograms, believed to date from Japan’s occupation of Indonesia during World War II, was found buried in a village in South Sulawesi and destroyed by a police bomb disposal team on Sunday.

The bomb was discovered in Malimpung Village, Patampanua Subdistrict, Pinrang Regency. The South Sulawesi Police Mobile Brigade’s Gegana bomb disposal unit secured and disposed of the potentially dangerous device on Oct. 11.

Syahrir, commander of the unit, said the bomb had the potential to damage buildings within a radius of about 100 meters.

“Based on its type, we can identify it as an aircraft bomb, specifically a ‘mukso’ bomb, which was dropped but failed to explode,” Syahrir said.

The device was classified as unexploded ordnance, or UXO, referring to ammunition that was used or deployed but failed to detonate. Such remnants can remain dangerous decades after a conflict ends.

The disposal operation was conducted at the discovery site under police security. The team carried out three controlled detonations to ensure the bomb had been destroyed.

Syahrir said the device was believed to be a remnant of the Japanese occupation, although its origin had not been conclusively established.

Antique Hunt Leads to Bomb Discovery
The bomb was discovered by an antique collector using a metal detector to search for Japanese-era artifacts in Malimpung Village.

The detector picked up a strong signal underground, prompting the collector to excavate the area. The search uncovered a large metal object buried about 50 centimeters below the surface, which was subsequently identified as an aircraft bomb weighing approximately 50 kilograms.

The discovery underscores the risks of digging up or handling objects that may be old ammunition. Police urged residents who encounter suspicious objects resembling bombs or other military ordnance to leave them untouched and immediately notify the authorities.

Malimpung Village Head Sahrir said the area was believed to have hosted an airfield during the Japanese occupation, potentially explaining the presence of military remnants.

“There is an airfield here that is said to date from the Japanese occupation. That is why the neighboring village is called Kampung Pangkalan, or ‘Base Village,’” he said.

He also said a family had recently repurposed a former bomb crater as a water source, suggesting that traces of past military activity remained in the surrounding area.

Residents have reportedly found other objects believed to date from the Japanese occupation, although their origins require further examination to establish any link to historical military operations.

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