Mortar Bomb Near Menora Tunnel Triggers Traffic Chaos, Safely Detonated

A suspected explosive discovered near KM265 of the North-South Expressway (PLUS) has been confirmed as an 81mm mortar bomb, classified as an Unexploded Ordnance (UXO).

Perak Police Chief Datuk Noor Hisam Nordin said the bomb was safely detonated by the Perak police bomb squad using a high-order electrical detonation with support from the Ipoh District Police.

The operation was completed without incident. The highway has since been declared safe, and traffic flow has resumed as normal, as reported by Berita Harian.

At around 9:30AM on Monday, a highway maintenance worker made an unexpected discovery while carrying out routine landscaping near KM265 of the North-South Expressway, about 4km from the Menora Tunnel.

The man spotted what appeared to be an old mortar bomb partially buried in the ground while clearing overgrown plants. He immediately reported it to the PLUS highway enforcement team, who then contacted the police.
"A team comprising policemen, highway patrol officers and the Perak Bomb Disposal Unit was dispatched for immediate assessment and containment," Hisam says, adding that authorities temporarily closed the location for safety, causing 15km congestion on the PLUS highway.