Two civilians suffered severe injuries resulting in leg amputations after stepping on landmines in Mrauk-U and Maungdaw Townships of Rakhine State. On March 19 at approximately 3 PM, a woman was injured by a landmine while foraging for vegetables near the foot of Kyein Mountain in Mrauk-U. The victim, identified as Daw San Win May, age 42, from Thapyay Nyo Ward in Mrauk-U, suffered an amputation below the knee of her left leg and is currently receiving emergency medical treatment.
In Maungdaw Township, Abdul Haleik, a 44-year-old resident of Lawka Ward, stepped on a landmine while fishing at Shwe Zar Creek on March 18 at around 1 PM. He sustained severe injuries resulting in the amputation of his left leg below the knee and is reported to be in critical condition. Recent weeks have seen an increase in landmine incidents across Rakhine State, particularly in Thandwe, Mrauk-U, and Maungdaw Townships, leading to civilian casualties and severe injuries.
Local sources report that the military council had previously planted landmines in various locations including mountainous areas, buildings within towns, schools, and monasteries where they had stationed troops. While the Arakan Army (AA) has been conducting mine risk education sessions and issuing safety warnings regarding unexploded ordnance, the number of casualties has continued to rise compared to previous periods. Local residents have emphasized the need for the Arakan Army to intensify their demining operations and mine awareness education programs to prevent further casualties in the region.
