Officials are rushing to collect and destroy a 120mm artillery shell left near Checkpoint 40 at Ban Nong Jan, Sa Kaeo Province, found in a condition ready to operate.
On 23 February 2026, reporters stated that the shell was discovered near Checkpoint 40, approximately 200 meters from the home of Mrs. Rat, the former wife of Kamnan Lee. The shell was fired from the Cambodian side during clashes. After receiving the report, authorities immediately deployed forces to the area, including the 1st Bomb Disposal Unit (EOD 1) of the Burapha Task Force, Border Patrol Police, EOD Unit 12, and an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team. They secured a safety perimeter around the site, prohibiting public access to prevent any potential harm.
Upon inspection and verification, the item was identified as a 120mm artillery shell, a powerful wartime weapon still in operational condition, posing a high risk of explosion if disturbed. Authorities proceeded with maximum caution.
Officials used heavy machinery to excavate the concrete surface, digging approximately 2 meters deep. The excavation took nearly two hours until the shell was uncovered. Subsequently, the authorities destroyed the shell to prevent danger during any future retrieval, as it was found to be 100% operational.
