Four resistance fighters from Chaung U Revolution Army Company (2) were seriously injured when the gunpowder that they were making for mines blew up.

The incident happened just east of Chaung-U Township, in Sagaing Region on 12 June, according to Ye Naung an official from Chaung U Revolution Army.

He said: “When the gunpowder was being made it burst into flames because the ratios were wrong.

The fire spread all over the small tent [they were working in]. There were six resistance fighters in the tent and four were affected. Two were burnt in the chest, the back and the thighs. One of them is very badly injured. His head face and all of his body were burnt. Another suffered burns to his legs.”

Resistance forces in upcountry areas make their own gunpowder so that they can manufacture homemade mines and other weapons to fight the junta because they cannot afford to buy rifles, heavy weapons and ammunition.

According to Ye Naung, such injuries are common when making weapons because the people doing the work are not experts.

'This has happened before. There is a lot of damage caused by homemade weapons. We are just  trying to make weapons to be more explosive and more damaging. We never thought they would explode in our hands like this', he said.

The four injured resistance fighters are currently being treated at the Nway Oo Yaung Ni clinic and are recovering, he added.