Explosion of war remnant kills man, injures daughter in Minbya Twsp

By Admin 07 Apr 2024

DMG Newsroom
7 April 2024, Minbya

An elderly man was killed and a woman identified as his daughter was severely injured in a blast of an explosive remnant of war (ERW) in Ngatanpyin Village, part of Arakan State’s Minbya Township, at about 2 p.m. on April 6.

The deceased has been identified as U Hla Kyaw Khaing, in his 60s, and Ma Khin Mar Nwe sustained serious injuries to her back.

On Saturday, U Hla Kyaw Khaing brought the unexploded ordnance home from a site where junta soldiers had camped, and it exploded when he hit it with a hammer, residents said.

“He [U Hla Kyaw Khaing] died on the spot and his daughter was seriously wounded in the blast,” said a local woman in the village.

Ma Khin Mar Nwe’s condition is considered life-threatening, and she is being treated at a hospital.

A local resident in Minbya Township was severely injured in a landmine explosion on March 30. A man was seriously injured after stepping on a landmine near a local police battalion in Arakan State’s Kyaukphyu Township on March 30.

“The relevant officials need to educate [civilian populations] about landmines as well as explosive military devices during the latest fighting,” said a local resident in Arakan State.

Mine blasts have killed or injured more than 20 civilians in Kyaukphyu, Minbya, Myebon, Kyauktaw, Rathedaung, Maungdaw, Buthidaung and Ann townships since renewed fighting broke out in November of last year.

In Myanmar, the death toll due to landmines and ERWs continues to rise. In 2022, 390 people died due to landmines and ERWs, and in 2023, there were 188 killed and 864 injured, totaling 1,025, according to UNICEF Myanmar.

“In order to reduce the casualties, we need to stop the war. As long as there is war, innocent people will be killed,” said a social activist in Arakan State.

Fighting has been raging in Arakan State for nearly five months. The AA has seized large swaths of Rathedaung, Ponnagyun, Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U, Minbya, Pauktaw, Myebon and Ramree townships, as well as Paletwa Township in neighbouring Chin State.

The AA has been stepping up offensive attacks on military camps, junta bases and police outposts in Buthidaung, Maungdaw, and Ann townships.