17 June 2026 – A 71-year-old man died after stepping on a landmine while walking from his home to a toilet in NgaLeng village, Matupi township, southern Chin State, according to a relative of the deceased.
The incident occurred at around 6:00 am at local time on 13 June 2026. The victim, identified as Mr. Thang Paul, reportedly stepped on a landmine of unknown origin and died instantly from the explosion, according to his relative, Salai Paul Thang.
Salai Paul Thang said Mr. Thang Paul had returned to NgaLeng village in March 2026 with other villagers to carry out village clean-up activities. Although clearance and cleaning work had been conducted throughout the village, Mr. Thang Paul chose to remain at his home and later became the victim of the explosion.
According to Salai Paul Thang, local residents and members of CDF-Matupi Brigade 2 had previously worked together to clear mines from the area, including around the toilet used by the victim.
He suggested that the explosive device may have been planted some time ago but remained inactive because the ground was hard during the dry season. Recent rainfall may have softened the soil, making the device more susceptible to detonation when stepped on.
He also speculated that the explosive may not have been a conventional buried anti-personnel landmine. Citing previous mine incidents involving CDF personnel that resulted primarily in leg injuries, he noted that the severity of Mr. Thang Paul’s injuries—reportedly destroying the lower half of his body—suggested the possibility of a different type of explosive device.
Mr. Ram Ngai, chairman of the NgaLeng Village Social Organisation, said residents were shocked by the incident because the area had already undergone clearance operations and had been regularly used for approximately four months without any reported accidents.
“We had been passing through that location for months after the clean-up operation,” he said. “Even when another civilian was injured by a mine near the church above Mr. Thang Paul’s house in April, people used the same route to transport the victim. Because of this, many villagers believe the device may have been planted after the clearance work was completed.”
He added that some local residents believed the explosive may have been an 80 mm munition, although this claim could not be independently verified.
According to Mr. Ram Ngai, the Arakan Army (AA) maintained a presence in NgaLeng village after joint resistance forces led by CDF-Matupi Brigade 1 captured Matupi town in June 2024. AA forces reportedly remained in the village from July 2024 until 20 April 2026 and did not establish checkpoints, allowing civilians to travel freely.
Following the withdrawal of AA forces in April 2026, troops affiliated with CDF-Matupi Brigade 1 and CPU/CPA reportedly took over former AA positions, established checkpoints, and began conducting inspections of travellers.
Mr. Ram Ngai further alleged that delays in obtaining authorization for emergency transportation may have affected efforts to save Mr. Thang Paul’s life. According to his account, villagers attempting to hire a vehicle from nearby Phanai village were required to obtain permission through multiple levels of approval before transportation could be arranged.
He claimed that these delays slowed the evacuation process and that the victim died before reaching medical assistance.
Mr. Thang Paul and his family had reportedly been living as displaced persons since 2022 at a refugee camp in Thenzawl village, Lunglei District, Mizoram, India, after fleeing conflict in NgaLeng village. He returned to the village earlier this year. – Reporting by Ben
