Man killed by landmine blast in Buthidaung Township

By Cha Lu Aung 18 Feb 2020

Cha Lu Aung | DMG
18 February, Buthidaung

A 65-year-old Muslim man from Sin Thay Pyin village in Arakan State’s Buthidaung Township died after stepping on a landmine in the early hours of February 18, according to family members.

Mahmud Innus sustained the ultimately fatal injuries near a hill in the northern part of his village while he was returning home after taking cattle to pasture.

He died of hemorrhagic shock while he was receiving emergency medical treatment at the Phone Nyo Late dispensary before he could be sent to Buthidaung Hospital, said Mahmud Siyout, son of the victim.

“My father got injuries on both his legs after stepping on a landmine laid by unknown combatants on his way home, after grazing our cattle. He died from blood loss before being taken to hospital,” he said.

Landmine casualties are increasingly commonplace in conflict-affected townships of Arakan State, where fighting between the Tatmadaw and Arakan Army (AA) has persisted for more than a year.

A mine risk reduction program is slated for six war-torn townships in Arakan State, including Buthidaung, starting this month and ending in November.

The ongoing Tatmadaw-AA conflict in Arakan State has killed more than 130 civilians and wounded over 360, with artillery shell explosions, mine blasts and gunfire from the warring parties to blame, according to the Arakan Student Union (Universities-Yangon).