A 50-year-old displaced woman died in a landmine explosion as she stepped on a landmine planted by the military council in Lawkyaykhu village in Phruso Township in Karenni State on 24 September, according to locals.
The victim stepped on a landmine planted in her house when she returned to her home to take rations.
“The landmine explosion cut off her two legs as she stepped on a landmine,” a local from Phruso said.
A woman close to the victim said: “The victim did not die on the spot. The hospital is very far. The victim died from severe bleeding. We turned back as she died en route to hospital.
Since 10 September, the military council troops were stationed in Lawkyaykhu village for more than one week. Then, they planted landmines everywhere in the village, according to locals and local defense forces.
The military council force is conducting offensives along Phruso-Bawlakhe road.
The Karenni Nationalities Defence Force (KNDF) has called on locals not to go home as the military council planted landmines in the villages where they were stationed.
According to the statement released by the Progressive Karenni People’s Force (PKPF) on 31 August 2023, the total number of civilian deaths since the military coup has reached 522 in Karenni State.
Most deaths are due to artillery shelling and aerial bombardment. Among the victims are those who were killed by the military council and landmine, according to the statement.
Sent by Kantarawaddy Times