Mine event in Kawkama area, Myanmar on Mon 19th October 2026

Two soldiers killed after a military column was hit by a landmine attack in Kyarinseikgyi; thousands of civilians displaced as the military shells villages with artillery

Yangon, October 20

A local news source told Yangon Khit Thit News Agency that a terrorist military column was hit by a landmine attack in Kyarinseikgyi Township, Karen State, resulting in the deaths of two soldiers and the destruction of one vehicle.

On October 19, resistance forces carried out a landmine attack near Kawkama Village against a terrorist military column consisting of an infantry unit and three vehicles that had departed from Thanbyura Village.

As a result of the landmine attack, two soldiers were killed instantly and there were also wounded personnel. One vehicle carrying military council troops was damaged. Following the attack, the terrorist military forces from the direction of Thanbyura Village continuously fired artillery toward nearby villages, according to reports.

"During the landmine attack, two soldiers were killed and it is understood that there were also wounded personnel. One vehicle carrying soldiers was damaged. After being attacked, they indiscriminately fired small arms and also fired artillery," a local news source said.

In addition, it is reported that thousands of civilians continue to flee to safety because the terrorist military has concentrated forces in the area of Khalay Tankhon Taing Village and has been indiscriminately firing artillery and small arms daily at nearby villages.

At present, local residents are concerned that the terrorist military may advance from the direction of Tankhon Taing Village. As a result, civilians from Palin Village, Nan Thine Htun Village, Khalay Tankhon Taing Village, and villages along the Hlakazain–Tawplaw–Payathonsu–Khalay Tankhon Taing road section have still not been able to return home and remain displaced.

"They fire artillery every day. At times you can also hear the sound of small-arms fire. When people keep hearing explosions, how can they dare return to their villages? If the military column advances, fighting could occur, so civilians continue to remain displaced out of concern," said a local resident.