A total of 361 Chin resistance fighters have been killed over the course of more than four years of resistance against the military junta, including 29 who died due to landmines, according to the Institute of Chin Affairs (ICA),
The ICA stated that landmines killed nearly 30 Chin resistance fighters and 54 civilians. In total, at least 135 civilians and Chin defense force members have been injured by landmines.
According to a press release issued by the ICA on 18 June, a total of 1,099 people from Chin State and the Chin ethnic group have died as a result of actions by military council forces since the 2021 coup up to 21 May 2025. This number includes members of resistance forces who were killed in battle.
A member of the Chin National Defense Force (CNDF) recounted his personal experience to the ICA, saying: “When we went back to retrieve the body of a fallen comrade from a battle, the military had planted a mine beneath the corpse. We tried to pull the body using a rope, but the rope was a bit short — and when the mine went off, about ten of us were caught in the blast. Some were killed. One of my friends and I were hit in the eyes, and now we’ve lost our sight permanently.”
As Chin State is a region where most people rely heavily on upland farming for their livelihood, the risk of landmines is particularly high. There are growing concerns that if landmines are not fully cleared during demining operations, civilians could be put in serious danger.
According to a report released in November 2024 by the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL), Myanmar has become the country with the highest number of landmine casualties in the world, surpassing Syria, Afghanistan, and Ukraine.
CDM soldier Salai Lian No said, “Once a landmine is buried, it can remain active for up to 50 years without deteriorating. The newer types of pressure-activated mines being used nowadays may not kill instantly, but they almost always result in the loss of limbs. “The military council often disables the safety pin of landmines and places them under corpses. Explosive devices like grenades and directional mines can cause harm to people within a 50-foot radius — and within 20 feet, they can be fatal.”
The ICA said that some units of the Chin resistance forces are also using hand-made mines such as stake mines, directional mines (Claymore-type) and landmines.
Out of 20 towns in Chin State, 15 are under the control of local defense forces, but local residents are reportedly unable to return home due to the danger of airstrikes and landmines.
After Chin resistance forces captured Mindat town, over 2,000 landmines were cleared during a demining operation, according to an April statement by the Mindat People’s Administration Team.
Although most areas have been cleared of mines in Matupi, mines are still reported to remain near the military council camp.
The Chin Affairs Organization has urged various organizations to step up efforts in landmine clearance, mine risk education, and the designation of restricted zones to help protect the Chin people from the dangers of landmines in their workplaces.
Over the four-year resistance period, a total of 1,099 people from Chin State and the Chin ethnic group were killed. This includes 10 shot by junta forces during protests, 328 killed in airstrikes, 11 who died after being used as human shields, 24 who perished due to lack of medicine, 63 who were killed or raped, 202 unarmed civilians arbitrarily shot, 17 religious leaders, 83 killed by landmines, and 361 resistance fighters who died in battle.