Junta forces continue to lay landmines in Gwa

Thinzar Nwe, Narinjara News, 17 September 2024

The military junta forces have been laying landmines in northern areas of Gwa township of Arakan State, where the Arakan Army (AA) is apprehended to enter, said local residents.

Starting on 14 September, the junta soldiers started laying landmines from the mountain behind Taing Kyoe village in southern Gwa to Kyway Chai Kwat Thit village.

"They are primarily laying landmines in areas where the AA fighters are expected to enter like the ridges and under a number of trees. Over 30 junta soldiers, including armed personnel from the 563rd light infantry battalion, are involved in these activities," said a resident.

Between June and August, two people died and two others sustained serious leg injuries after stepping on landmines near Gwa and Kyeintali towns, where the junta forces previously laid those. The resident expressed serious concern that the civilians may face the landmine blasts in the coming days.

Frequent clashes are now occurring between the junta soldiers and AA fighters in southern areas of Kyeintali town. More than 300 junta soldiers were deployed from Taing Kyoe  to Kyway Chai villages, said a military source.

"Those 300 soldiers along with militiamen were firmly stationed in different  villages," added the source.

The landmines laid by the junta forces are usually located in the ridges behind the villages. The villagers have been asked  to avoid foraging, cutting wood and gathering bamboo from the forests and mountains for the time being.