Naung Min Thu / Saw Shin May, Narinjara News, 14 March 2025 

A young man and a 55-year-old man sustained serious injuries after stepping on landmines in the Maungdaw and Ann townships, situated on the western border of Arakan State. 

The two wounded persons were 18-year-old Mahmoud Yar Sid from Shwe Zar West Muslim Village in Maungdaw Township and 55-year-old U Nyi Nyi from Pyote Kyun Village in Ann Township.

On March 13, Mahmoud Yar Sid and six other villagers were fishing around midday when they triggered a landmine placed by junta forces near the western boundary of Shwe Zar West Village, causing severe injuries. Kayas, who accompanied him, talked to Narinjara News regarding the incident. 

"He stepped on a landmine since he was at the front. We hesitate to proceed down that path. There could possibly be additional landmines," Kayas mentioned. 

Mahmoud Yar Sid lost his left eye and left leg due to the explosion of a landmine. 

The Arakan Army (AA) completely took control of Maungdaw Township on December 8, 2024. 

In a comparable event, U Nyi Nyi from Pyote Kyun Village in Ann Township sustained severe injuries after stepping on a leftover landmine placed by junta forces around 2:00 pm on March 12 while gathering firewood close to the old Lone Village, as reported by local residents. 

U Nyi Nyi had his left leg amputated due to a landmine explosion and received facial injuries from shrapnel. 

The AA completely seized Ann Township on December 20, 2024.

Local inhabitants have advised heightened vigilance in areas held by the AA in Arakan State, as landmines and leftover explosives from conflicts continue to pose a danger. 

Ko Aung Min Soe, a young person from Arakan State, stated, "The Arakan Army (AA) is striving to remove landmines and has put up warning signs. Nevertheless, there are still places that require signs. I think that regional commanders and local civil society groups ought to work together to inform other villages about landmines in that region and surrounding areas if feasible.” 

Data collected by Narinjara News indicates that in February, eight locals lost their lives and 19 were injured due to landmines and remnants of war explosions in Arakan State. 

The events occurred in the townships of Maungdaw, Ann, Gwa, Taungup, and Pauktaw.