A police officer has lost his leg after stepping on an anti-personnel mine buried near a temple in Preah Vihear province on Friday.

Deputy Chief of Choam Khsan district Police Major Lon Soeum said yesterday the incident happened at 4.30am on Friday next to the steps to Preah Vihear Temple in Kantuot commune, Choam Khsant district.

Maj Soeum identified the victim as Captain Nuon Thoeun, 46, a police officer working with National Border Police.

Maj Soeum said Cap Thoeun, who was on duty, went to urinate by the stairs of the temple when the anti-personal mine exploded.

“He went to urinate nearby the site where he was on duty. He stepped on an anti-personnel mine believed to have been planted during the Thai-Cambodian border dispute in 2007,” he told Khmer Times.

“The mine exploded and caused serious injuries to both his legs,” Cap Thoeun said. “His left leg had to be removed due to the damage it sustained.”

He said that after hearing the explosion, colleagues nearby came to his rescue him and sent him immediately to Preah Vihear provincial hospital, where he is still receiving treatment.

• Tags: landmine