A soldier was seriously injured when he accidentally detonated an anti-personnel landmine today, while surveying an area near the Cambodian border in Ban Nong Chan, Khok Sung district of Sa Kaeo province as part of the demining operations.
The powerful explosion from a PMN landmine ripped off the left foot of the soldier at the ankle. He has been identified as Sgt-Maj. Udomsak Noekmun.
Shrapnel also caused serious injuries to his left hand and he was immediately rushed to Aranyaprathet district hospital by his men.
According to the National Demining Operations Centre, the border area in Ban Nong Chan was heavily mined by Cambodian forces, with many of the landmines being planted several years ago and during the conflicts in the middle of last year.
About 80,800 square metres of the border area were classified as confirmed hazardous. About 62,000 square metres have been cleared of landmines.
