Muslim boy killed, three others wounded in Buthidaung Twsp landmine blast

26 Jan 2023

DMG Newsroom
26 January 2023, Buthidaung 

A Muslim boy was reportedly killed and three others were injured in a landmine explosion near Phoe Khaung Chaung Village in Arakan State’s Buthidaung Township at about 11 a.m. on Thursday.

The 10-year-old fatality has been identified as Mahmud Nul, and the three injured range in age from 12 to 14.

They stepped on the landmine at a location about 1 mile west of the village while on their way to the Mayu mountain range to cut down firewood, said Zawmeik Hussein, the village administrator.

“They went to the Mayu mountain range to cut down firewood. One child was pronounced dead on the spot and three others were wounded in the landmine blast. The condition of the injured is considered life-threatening and [the child] has been transferred to Maungdaw Hospital, while the two others are being treated in the village,” the village administrator told DMG.

Residents of Phoe Khaung Chaung Village, who mainly rely on the forests for their livelihoods, say they remain concerned about their own safety when venturing out into the jungle they rely upon for income, Zawmeik Hussein added.

“We rely on the forest and farming for our livelihoods. Locals are worried that a similar incident will happen again,” he said.

Past clashes between the military and Arakan Army (AA) were reported along the Mayu mountain range, according to locals.

A Muslim man from Taungywa Village in Arakan State’s Buthidaung Township was injured after stepping on a landmine on December 2.

At least 64 civilians were killed and 162 others were injured by landmine explosions, stray gunfire and artillery strikes in Arakan State and Paletwa Township in 2022, a DMG tally found.