21, September 2024, local villagers at Wan Jing village, Mongnawng Township, Southern Shan State, were hit by a landmine while mowing grass for their cattle. One person has been killed, and two others have been injured.

The incident occurred at 7:00 am while the three men were on the way home after cutting grass to feed their cattle. The explosion killed one person on the spot, while a father and son have been injured.

“They were mowing grass to feed their cattle. On the way home with their tractor, they were hit by landmines. One died on the spot, and two were injured. We don’t know whose mine it was,” said a local from Mongnawng.

The man who got killed was 35 years old. The two who got injuries are a 36-year-old and 13-year-old boy (father and son).

“His father was injured in the leg, hand, and body. The boy was injured to his body, and they were worried that a leg operation may affect his nervous system People took them to Wan Hai, the HQ of SSPP (Shan State Progressive Party) for treatment,” a local man told SHAN.

The area where the mine exploded has been a conflict zone between the two Shan armed groups, namely SSPP/SSA and the RCSS/SSA (Restoration Council of Shan State).

On 22, September, 2024, the SSPP claimed that civilian casualties in Mongnawng Township were caused by RCSS landmines.

SHAN attempted to contact SSPP spokesperson, Major Sai Phon Han for comments but could not reach him.

In a similar incident, on 20, August 2024, the villagers of Wan Hsai Mon village in Kunhing Township stepped on landmines while heading to their farms. A 15-year-old boy got killed, and 20 people got injured, especially women, according to a local source.