An explosion believed to have been caused by a landmine occurred on the 21st during a search operation in the Demilitarized Zone at a frontline unit of the Army's 25th Infantry Division, which guards the western front.
Three people were injured and taken to hospital, including two soldiers who were critically hurt while taking part in the DMZ search operation, according to sources.
Circumstances point to the possibility that a landmine caused the blast. It has not been confirmed, however, whether the device was planted by North Korean troops or belonged to South Korean forces.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff said earlier that it had identified changes in terrain in parts of the southern side of the DMZ and was consulting with the United Nations Command over the possibility that North Korean troops had laid mines.
