Three Thai soldiers were injured by a landmine while patrolling a border area near Cambodia, the Thai army said in a statement. One soldier lost a foot and two others were injured after one of them stepped on a landmine as they patrolled an area between Thailand’s Sisaket and Cambodia’s Preah Vihear provinces.
The soldiers are being treated at a hospital. Thailand’s army has accused the neighbouring country of planting concealed weapons in violation of international law. Cambodia denies the accusation.
The incident came two days after the two countries reasserted their commitment to a ceasefire that ended a brief but intense period of fighting. The incident risks enflaming tensions, which remain high despite the fragile truce agreed on 29 July to end the armed conflict.
Cambodia’s defence ministry said that it “has yet to receive clear confirmation from Cambodian frontline forces concerning the explosion,” adding that its army has been strictly respecting the spirit of the ceasefire.
Thailand said the incident took place within its territory in an area recently cleared of landmines. It would lodge a complaint against Cambodia for violating a treaty that bans the use of landmines and for infringing Thai sovereignty, the Thai foreign ministry said in a statement.