Although in recent months there has been less gunfire fighting between Karen armed groups and the Burmese Army in the area controlled by KNU Brigade No. 7 in Hlaing Bwe Township of Karen State, Burmese Army soldiers continue to suffer landmine injuries.

Four Burmese Army soldiers from Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 546 under Military Operation Command (MOC) 12 sustained injuries on March 11 and 12 in the Kaloyohta area of Hlaing Bwe Township. The four soldiers stepped on landmines placed by the KNU, according to Maj. Saw Eh Sel Sel of KNU Brigade No. 7.

“Two soldiers from the Burmese Army received injuries when they stepped on our landmines on March 11. One soldier is a corporal who lost both of his legs. On March 12, another two soldiers suffered from our landmines. One is a lieutenant and another one is a private,” Maj. Saw Eh Sel Sel said.

The Burmese Army’s patrol column traveled ahead of the Border Guard Forces in the area. That is why the Burmese soldiers stepped on the landmines and got injuries, according to a person who is close to the BGF.

“Soldiers from the patrol column ask the BGF members to show the way. They ask them to go at the head of the columns, but nobody wants to go in front of the column, so the Burmese soldiers have to go in front. Then they step on landmines and get injured,” he said.

On March 10, there was a gun battle between the KNU and the Burmese Army in the Wor Lay area in KNU Brigade No. 6 area. Five Burmese soldiers, including a lieutenant, were killed in the battle, and three additional soldiers were wounded.