Septuagenarian loses leg in landmine explosion in Kyaukphyu Twsp

By Admin 20 Apr 2024

DMG Newsroom
20 April 2024, Kyaukphyu

An elderly man from Hnanphetaung Village, part of Arakan State’s Kyaukphyu Township, was seriously injured after stepping on a landmine on Saturday morning.

U Lu Phyu, 70, together with a companion was walking to NgamaungU hill to herd his cattle at around 6 a.m. on April 20 when he stepped on the landmine. He lost his left leg in the blast.

“Locals herd their cattle in pasturelands near the hill. U Lu Phyu together with U Maung Chan Oo went to the pasturelands when he stepped on a landmine. U Lu Phyu was severely injured in the landmine explosion, but his companion was safe. The landmine victim was hospitalised,” said a villager.

NgamaungU hill is located between Hnanphetaung and Pyaingsaekay villages. There are farmlands and cattle pastures where the locals work. Junta soldiers often camp near the hill, according to local residents.

“Soldiers often came and camped around the place where the landmine exploded. There are many cows and dogs in the village that lost their legs and arms due to landmines near that place,” said a resident of Pyaingsaekay Village.

A local man from Malakyun Village was severely injured after stepping on a landmine near a hill between two villages in Arakan State’s Kyaukphyu Township on April 9.

Residents are worried about the risk of landmines as junta troops are patrolling and there are often explosions of landmines at locations where junta troops were previously stationed.

Mine blasts killed two people and injured nine civilians in Kyaukphyu Township from January to April this year, according to a DMG tally.