A middle-age woman and two men were injured in a landmine explosion at No.4 ward in Mone Township in Nyaunglebin District in the Karen National Union (KNU) Brigagde-3 territory, according to local sources.
On 8 October, three locals were injured as they stepped on a landmine planted on the road in the west of the primary school at No.4 ward. They got minor injuries. They were taken to Taungoo Hospital for treatment, a local woman said.
“The injured are U Soe Hlaing, his sister, and his nephew from Ward-4. Their injuries are not severe enough to require amputations. Now they have been sent to Taungoo Hospital. They are in stable condition. We have returned to Mone town as we are afraid of thieves. Now the mine explosion occurred in the west of the school. We are at risk of landmines,” the local woman added.
Following the intense fighting between the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and allied forces and the military council since December 2023, the military council’s Light Infantry Battalions-590/599 members have taken position in Mone Township. So far, they have taken control of the territory, according to the KNU news source.
Local residents report that it is unclear which group is responsible for planting the mines. However, propaganda on social media from the junta, as well as some media outlets, have claimed that the KNU and People’s Defense Forces are behind the mining.
In response, a spokesperson for the KNU in Mone Township said, “Only the military is present in Mone. They may be planting landmines. We do not engage in landmine planting. The military has been stationed there for months, causing many residents to flee. Only those close to the army have returned home.”
In the incident on 8 October, the individuals injured in the explosion were family members of the Ward-4 administrator. They sustained injuries while on their way to their farm to plant peas, according to local media reports citing residents.
Following the fighting in Mone, the military council has reinforced its battalions in the town. The military has been regularly firing heavy shells at villages in Mone Township, despite the absence of clashes, leading to civilian injuries, according to KNU Brigade-3.
Sent by KIC