(Phnom Penh): The Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) Director General Heng Ratana clarified that the landmines Thailand showcased to representatives from 33 countries and several partners still had intact safety pins, meaning that they were newly planted, not removed from existing minefields.

Heng Ratana spoke on Monday (Aug. 18) during a press conference on Thailand's baseless accusations against Cambodia concerning the alleged use of new landmines at CMAA’s headquarters.

He explained that if a mine still has its safety pin attached, it will not explode regardless of how much pressure is applied. If an army places mines for actual use, they would remove the pin to activate them. If they are placed without removing the pin, then they are simply not meant to detonate, which makes no sense.

“The mines Thailand displayed are definitely new. They are not taken out from a minefield, because if they were, their pins would have already been removed. Technically, a mine can only explode once the pin is pulled. Without that, it cannot detonate. This is a clear technical fact,” Heng Ratana underscored.

The PMN-2 type mines were originally produced in the 1970s and imported into Cambodia during the 1980s. However, after Cambodia achieved peace, all stocks were destroyed in the 1990s, with international inspections confirming the elimination.
=FRESH NEWS