Afghanistan, Jan. 20 -- An unexploded 500-kilogram bomb from past conflicts was safely defused in western Afghanistan after residents alerted authorities, officials said.

Taliban disaster management authorities said an unexploded 500-kilogram bomb was discovered and neutralized in Injil district of Herat province.

The agency said the bomb, a remnant of past wars, was found after a local resident encountered it while digging foundations for a house.

Afghanistan remains heavily contaminated with unexploded ordnance from decades of conflict involving foreign and domestic forces.

International demining groups, including the Halo Trust, have played a critical role in clearing explosives and reducing civilian casualties.

Officials said Halo ...