On January 11th 2025, two monks serving at a monastery in K--- village, Meh Pree village tract[2], Bu Tho Township, Mu Traw District, were hit by a landmine [planted by the Karen National Union (KNU)[3]] on Ler Kwel road, located between Meh Pree village tract (Bu Tho Township) and H---- village (in Lay Hpoh Hta village tract, Dwe Lo Township). One of the monks was U[4] R--- (30 years old), from N--- village, Htee Th’Daw Hta village tract, Bu Tho Township. The other monk named U A--- (25 years old) is from E--- village, Hpwah Ghaw village tract, Hpa-an Township, Doo Tha Htoo District. U R--- had been serving as a monk for ten years, while U A--- has been serving for one year. Both monks carried out their monastic services in K--- village.
Due to the landmine explosion, U R--- was killed on the spot. As for U A---, he was hospitalised in Yangon [at a hospital administered by the State Administration Council (SAC)][5]. There is no further information [obtained by KHRG] about U A--- after he was hospitalised in Yangon.
Prior to the incident, local Karen National Union (KNU) leaders, including Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA)[6] members, the village head administrator, and the security head of T--- village tract, had issued a [verbal] warning to all villagers [in the area]. They announced a 15-day notice before planting landmines along Ler Kwel road and the surrounding areas of H--- village. Villagers were instructed to use an alternative road. After this warning period, the KNU local leaders proceeded to plant the landmines [in the areas surrounding H--- village, including along the road].
Local villagers do not go to the restricted road anymore after the local KNU leaders had warned them. However, believing there would be no problem to take the restricted road to K’Ma Moh Town, the two monks had departed from K--- village along Ler Kwel road. They had used that restricted road twice to go to K’Ma Moh Town before the landmines were planted. When they were about to depart this time, people [K--- villagers] told them not to go on that road [because landmines were planted there]. They [the two monks] responded that it was okay and then they went on [that road]. On the same day they travelled [January 11th 2025], [they] were hit by the landmine and killed and injured.
[As reported to KHRG by the KNU head of security for T--- village tract,] on the day that local [KNU] leaders planted landmines, they did not inform villagers because they thought it was not necessary to inform villagers again as they had already announced a 15-day notice. [Reportedly,] the local KNU leaders planted landmines to protect themselves and civilians from invasion of SAC soldiers, as the Meh Pree village tract area is located near K’Ma Moh Town [where SAC soldiers are based].
After January 2025, the conflict between KNLA combined forces and SAC soldiers has also escalated in the area. The situation has made traveling, living, and working more challenging for villagers compared to previous years.
Landmine locations are not marked [with signs], and only verbal warnings have been given to villagers regarding areas contaminated with landmines. Additionally, villagers in the area have never received Mine Risk Education (MRE) training.
Further background reading on the situation on landmines in Southeast Burma/Myanmar can be found in the following KHRG reports: