An unexploded mortar shell, believed to date back to the 1971 Liberation War, was defused last night following its recovery during canal excavation work in Srimangal upazila of Moulvibazar.

The shell was found in Durganagar village under Sindurkhan union, local sources said.

Md Abdur Razzak, officer-in-charge (Investigation) of Srimangal Police Station, said a farmer, Shahid Mia, discovered a metallic object underground while digging a drain yesterday morning. Suspecting it to be an explosive device, locals alerted the police.

Law enforcers rushed to the spot and cordoned off the area to prevent any untoward incident.

A bomb disposal unit from Sylhet Metropolitan Police later reached the scene and examined the object. The team confirmed that it was an unexploded mortar shell believed to have been used during the 1971 Liberation War.

The shell was defused safely around 9:00pm, Abdur Razzak said.

No casualties were reported.