Two men were killed in Namhpatkar Village, Kutkai Township, northern Shan State, when an unexploded 60mm mortar grenade they were hitting detonated.

Locals reported that on November 2 around 6:00 pm, two men brought a grenade they had found to one of their houses and pounded it to extract gunpowder, causing it to explode.

“As we know, the blast was caused by a 60mm mortar grenade. We don’t know where they found it. They brought it to the house and struck it, which caused it to explode. Both men died on the spot,” a villager told KNG.

The deceased were both men in their 30s, reportedly one a civilian and the other a local resistance member.

Many unexploded ordnance and remnants of war remain around Namhpatkar. In the past, local people, including children, have been injured or killed after coming into contact with them.

Despite awareness campaigns by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), which currently controls Namhpatkar Village, and other relevant authorities on the dangers of war remnants and landmines, such deaths continue to occur.

“Even though awareness workshops on the dangers of landmines have been held here, these deaths keep happening. It may be because villagers, especially middle-aged ones, are not eager to attend, which leads to such tragedies. It seems the locals don’t have enough education about the risks posed by these munitions,” said a local woman.

Landmines and unexploded ordnance can detonate from even the slightest touch. Encountering these war remnants can be extremely dangerous, so it is crucial to keep a safe distance and avoid touching them.

Groups monitoring unexploded ordnance and landmine dangers have warned that northern Shan State is among the regions in Myanmar experiencing civilian casualties from these munitions.

According to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Myanmar, 375 people were injured or killed by landmines and unexploded ordnance in Myanmar during the first half of 2025.