A startling incident unfolded in the Daulatkhali area of Daulatpur upazila in Kushtia after a woman unknowingly sold an unexploded artillery shell as scrap metal. The shell, weighing approximately 17 kilograms, had been lying inside her house for years and was mistaken for ordinary iron.

According to local sources, the woman, Pakhi Khatun, married former army officer Asmat Ullah around 15 years ago. This was his second marriage. Since her marriage, she had noticed a heavy metal object inside the house. Following her husband’s death, she decided to sell it as scrap due to financial needs.

Last week, a scrap dealer visited her house and bought the object at a rate of BDT 30 per kilogram. However, two days later, the dealer realized the object resembled an explosive device and, fearing danger, returned it to Pakhi Khatun’s house.

The matter soon spread among locals, who informed the police. On Thursday evening (January 1), Daulatpur Police recovered the object and alerted the Bangladesh Army. The following morning (January 2), a specialized bomb disposal unit from the 3 Engineer Battalion of Jessore Cantonment arrived at the site.

Army experts confirmed that the object was an old, highly powerful unexploded mortar shell, believed to have been used during the 1971 Liberation War. Under strict security measures, the bomb disposal team conducted a controlled explosion at around 3:00 pm, safely neutralizing the shell.

Army officials stated that although a loud blast was heard during the operation, the situation was fully controlled and no injuries or damages were reported. The entire operation was carried out successfully, ensuring public safety.