Narinjara, 24 May, 2025

A man has lost his life and another has been hurt after treading on an unexploded landmine left by junta forces during the conflict in Paletwa Township, Chin State. 

A local resident of Paletwa informed Narinjara that on the evening of May 22, while they were searching for food near the former army camp, where the military council used to reside, they stepped on a mine in Chin Letwa Village, Paletwa Township. 

"They are employed at the harbor in Chin Letwa village. While searching for vegetables in the vicinity of the old army camp close to Chin Letwa village, U Win Naing stepped on a mine and detonated it. He passed away immediately. Another individual sustained injuries as he was in close proximity. There are nearby hills where the junta troops used to reside," he mentioned. 

The deceased individual was U Win Naing (46), hailing from Wa Pyin Village, located in Kyauktaw Township, while the injured person was U Kyaw Hlaing (38) from Min Phu Village in Minbya Township. U Win Naing lost both legs due to stepping on a mine and passed away instantly. 

U Kyaw Hlaing sustained significant injuries to his left eye, right hand, and various other areas of his body, receiving urgent medical assistance from the Arakan Army (AA), according to a source affiliated with the AA who spoke to Narinjara. 

The injured individual received urgent medical care. The deceased was interred yesterday," the man close to the AA informed Narinjara. 

The AA seized control of the whole township, including Paletwa, on January 14, 2024.

Even though the AA removed all mines from the Paletwa region following the takeover, local inhabitants continue to be impacted by landmines that remain beyond the area, at the port, and along the shores, which were left by the military council during their retreat in the battle for the town.