Junta soldiers deliberately planted mines on routes commonly used by civilians in Nga Hyan Village, in Sagaing Region’s Chaung U Township, on 10 August.

About 25 junta soldiers stationed in Chaung U Township, which is in Monywa District, drove from their base to the area of Nga Hyan Village. There, they deliberately planted M-14 mines (commonly known as toe poppers) outside the village, on routes frequented by villagers, according to the National Unity Government’s (NUG) Ministry of Defence.

Photos released by the NUG show that nine mines were planted.

After the junta soldiers left, on the afternoon of 10 August people’s defence force (PDF) fighters arrived in the area and successfully removed the mines, according to an NUG statement.

The NUG confirmed that the mines were M-14 mines which are particularly hard to detect because they are mainly made of plastic and have a low metal content. They are specifically designed to maim rather than kill as looking after wounded people uses up more resources and manpower than burying dead people. The mines are designed to explode 10 inches above the ground and cause serious injuries, including the loss of body parts.

The headquarters of the NUG’s People's Defence Army issued a warning about mines to the public and told them to be extremely cautious.