Man injured in landmine blast in Namphatkar Village

A man residing in Pan Jarot Ward, Namphatkar Village, Kutkai Township, has been injured in a landmine explosion while on his way to work in a nearby forest.

The incident occurred at approximately 10:00 AM on March 6, while the victim was heading to a forest to bakecharcoal.

The victim said, “A motorbike had just passed in front of me without any issues. The owner of the charcoal kiln uses that area regularly. I was going to work with them that day. It wasn’t that I stepped directly on the mine; it felt more like I tripped over a wire. It was a buried mine.”

According to a local source familiar with the situation, the forest area where the charcoal burning takes place was a zone where the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and the Terror Military Council were active during previous clashes.

The victim, identified as Mai Alum Dae, sustained injuries to both legs, including a bone fracture in his right foot. He was initially taken to Namphakar Hospital before being transferred to Nam Kham Hospital for further treatment. He is reportedly struggling to cover his medical expenses.

According to records compiled by the Ta’ang Women’s Organization (TWO), from January to March 2026, landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) in the region have claimed one life and injured 18 others, including six children.