LAND MINES AND MINING TECHNIQUES EMPLOYED IN KOSOVO

Abstract

According to highly exaggerated initial estimates, about half a million mines were laid across Kosovo. The Yugoslav Army submitted 624 minefield records to KFOR, which mention 39,067 laid mines. However, mines were also laid by police units, paramilitary units and the Kosovo Liberation Army. The most frequently employed mines were: PM 2, PMR 2A and TMA 5. All minefields in Kosovo may be divided into two groups: large defense fields at the state borders with Albania and Macedonia, and protective mine fields scattered across Kosovo. Very few booby-traps and minefields of nonmilitary units were found in Kosovo. The Kosovo Liberation Army also used mines in the conflict, mostly those of Yugoslav make, but also mines of other origin purchased on world markets. Double-charge mining was often used, and certain antitank mine-fields were additionally strengthened with 25 kg of explosive.