Two Myanmar military junta soldiers stepped on the landmines set up by themselves and were killed while on their way to take a shower in Panglaung township, Southern Shan State.

On 24 May 2022, Myanmar military junta soldiers and Pa-O National Army (PNA) combined forces were stationed at Pin Pone village, Panglaung township, and the two military soldiers stepped on the mine while going for a shower according to the locals.

“Last week, there was a group of SAC soldiers at the checking point near our village. However, only 10 of them are left and they are combined with PNA force at the check point. They went to take a shower near Pin Pone village and stepped on their own landmines and two were killed,” a local resident anonymously told SHAN due to his security concern.

According to the natives, those areas are where Myanmar military junta and PNA armed forces are controlling and no People Defense Force (PDF) is active in the area. So, the landmines belong to those two armed groups.

“We have to be cautious now when passing through the areas where Myanmar military army and PNA armed group have check points. The landmines exploded at our place where armed conflict has never been reported; therefore, we have to be very alert,” the above resident added.

Even though the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) asked the armed groups in Myanmar to immediately quit using landmines, the most landmines affected areas are Shan State and Kachin State according to the data from 2000 to 2020 report released by the Landmines Monitor.