Eleven unexploded mortar shells have been recovered from the banks of the Jamuna River in Bhuyapur , Tangail.
The shells were retrieved at 6 PM on Wednesday from the Patitapara area of the upazila. It is believed that the mortar shells are military weapons from the 1971 Liberation War. The shells were found rusted and lying together. Some of the shells are covered in rust, while others have hollow interiors.
Local residents reported that a person named Md. Shahadat first discovered the mortar shells while fishing along the riverbank. Upon spotting these objects, he became alarmed. After informing nearby people, locals gathered at the site and notified the police. The police arrived at the scene, recovered the mortar shells, and took them to an army camp.
Locals claim that the recovered mortar shells are relics of the Liberation War. According to them, in 1971, a Pakistani warship was destroyed along the banks of the Yamuna River in the Patitapara and Matikata areas. It is assumed that these mortar shells came from that warship and ended up on the riverbank.
Local residents Rubel Sarkar, Monir Mondal, and Rafiqul Islam stated that they had heard from their ancestors about a Pakistani warship being destroyed in this area. The recovery of these mortar shells has brought those memories back to life.
Nikrail Union Parishad member Shahidul Islam said, "I came to the site and saw the mortar shells with my own eyes. I immediately informed the Bhunapur police station and ensured the area's safety so that the shells could be handed over through the proper process."
Bhunapur Police Station OC AKM Rezaul Karim said, "It is assumed that the mortar shells are from the Liberation War period. Most of them do not contain any explosives. The shells have been brought to the army camp."
