Narinjara Neww, June 26, 2024

A woman and a man were severely injured in separate landmine explosions in Kyaukphyu and Taungup townships, Rakhine State.

The injured individuals are identified as Daw Thein Mya Kyi, 61, from Kyaukphyu Township, and U Thein Win, 45, from Taungup Township.

Daw Thein Mya Kyi, a resident of Say Pauk Kay Htaun village in the Gone Chwain village tract of Kyaukphyu Township, lost a leg after stepping on a mine on June 25. A local resident reported that she was walking along a forest path near military council battalion 543 when the incident occurred.

"Even in areas where the Arakan Army (AA) has taken control, mines are still present near military installations. In regions currently experiencing conflict, people should avoid approaching military areas at all costs. In Kyaukphyu, there are numerous mines near the 542nd and 543rd Battalions, as well as the 32nd Police Battalion, similar to those planted throughout AA-captured Ann Township. It's tragic that she stepped on a landmine, especially at her age," the local resident stated.

In a separate incident, U Thein Win, a farmer from Thein Taung Ward, Taungup, suffered extensive injuries on June 26 when he accidentally triggered a mine while plowing his field. The explosion occurred in the evening when he struck the device with his shovel.

"He was working on a farm bank in the field near where the former army battalion, Sakakha (5), was stationed. He accidentally touched the mine with his shovel, which caused it to explode and injure him across his body," a relative explained.

Despite ongoing efforts to install mine warning signs and distribute pamphlets and posters about mine awareness in several townships currently administered by the AA, reports indicate that noncompliance among some locals contributes to frequent landmine-related injuries and fatalities.