Each square meter of cleared land not only safeguards the personnel on duty but also brings extra hope of recovering the nation’s elite children who still rest in the old battlefields.

Executing their assigned tasks, the Điện Biên provincial Military Command organized forces to clear landmines and unexploded ordnance across an area of 170 ha in Bản Máy commune. This region features complex terrain with numerous mountains, deep ravines, and dense vegetation, posing high safety risks due to various postwar mines and explosives left behind.

Senior Colonel Lưu Văn Duân, Deputy Chief of the Staff of the Điện Biên provincial Military Command, stated that the mine clearance task in Bản Máy commune is not merely about handling explosive remnants of war. For the unit, this is a deep responsibility and an expression of gratitude toward those who fell for the Fatherland. Each cleared square meter creates favorable conditions for search and repatriation teams to access scenes faster and more safely. He emphasized that officers and soldiers are constantly reminded to uphold the Điện Biên Phủ spirit with the highest sense of responsibility, ensure absolute safety, and maintain the determination to complete the entire assigned 170ha, contributing to the successful execution of the “500-Day-and-Night Campaign” within Military Region 2.

Since March 1, 2026, despite confronting severe weather conditions, treacherous terrain, and a massive workload, the unit has successfully cleared all 170 ha. During this process, they discovered more than 200 artillery and mortar shells of various kinds, 86 antipersonnel mines, and over 1,000 rounds of assorted ammunition.

Senior Captain Phan Hồng Sơn, Captain of the Engineering Company under the provincial Military Command, shared that by promoting the engineering force’s tradition of successfully clearing paths to victory, the team handles every deeply buried explosive with extreme caution and in strict compliance with protocols. Despite the hardships, every soldier feels their work is truly meaningful, knowing that behind the cleared lands lies the hope of countless martyrs’ families who are yearning for news of their loved ones.

Behind these numbers are the countless drops of sweat shed by the engineering soldiers. On steep mountain slopes, there are days when officers and soldiers must carry heavy equipment across tens of kilometers of forest trails. With many suspected locations buried deep within dense forests under thick vegetation layers, the detection, verification, and handling of explosives face no small obstacles. Driven by a profound sense of responsibility and gratitude toward preceding generations, the personnel continue to overcome every hardship.

Corporal Thào A Tình shared that participating in this mission for the first time made him deeply feel the immense sacrifices and losses endured by previous generations. Each time a mine or shell is unearthed, he understands the value of today’s peace more clearly, motivating him to exert greater effort to help bring the fallen soldiers back to their families.

Sharing this sentiment, Sergeant Thào A Chủ, a squad leader, confided that during operations amidst the mountains under scorching heat and treacherous terrain, the team members constantly encourage one another. He expressed great pride whenever dangerous explosives are safely extracted from the ground, noting that every meter of cleared soil not only ensures safety but also simplifies the work of the teams searching for martyrs’ remains.

The silent footsteps of today’s soldiers continue to write a profound journey of gratitude toward those who sacrificed their lives for national independence and freedom. The clearance of mines and explosives in Bản Máy commune not only frees contaminated land and protects local residents alongside functional forces, but also creates favorable conditions to accelerate the progress of the “500-Day-and-Night Campaign” to search for, gather, and identify martyrs’ remains in the area.

Armed with the mettle, will, and determination of the Vietnam People’s Army soldiers, the officers and soldiers of the Điện Biên provincial Military Command continue to stick to the locality, braving the harsh sun and rain to excellently fulfill their assigned duties, helping bring heroic martyrs back to their comrades, homelands, and families amidst the earnest expectations of the entire nation.