In a small compound at a border area where a group of comrades live together, I was standing and talking on the phone one morning after breakfast. Before I could finish the call, I clearly heard a sharp and clear voice singing a song.

Turning towards the direction of the voice, I saw a young man sitting in a wheelchair. He was pushing its wheels with enthusiasm while singing. He was heading toward his room with his voice full of energy. That day was February 18, 2025.

Seeing this young man with bandages on his legs, I wondered why he was in a wheelchair and how he could appear so cheerful despite his injuries. I asked the assigned nurse for permission to speak with him.

Comrade Khu Sue Reh was a member of the Karenni Army (KA) and was barely in his early twenties. As we talked, I was deeply moved by his immense compassion and loyalty towards his comrades, especially during the Loikaw offensive, where he participated in the 1111 Operation.

During the operation, one of his comrades stepped on a 14-landmine. Hearing his friend’s cries for help, Khu Sue Reh couldn’t stay still. Without any hesitation, he rushed into the minefield to rescue him.

When he rushed in, he fortunately reached his friend without triggering another mine. He carried his wounded comrade and attempted to get him out of the minefield. But the nightmare came there. Just as they were about to make it out, Khu Sue Reh stepped on another 16-landmine. The explosion tore through both of his legs and confined him to a wheelchair.

“At first, it was my friend who stepped on a 14-landmine. He screamed for help, and some of my friends screamed to assist him. I ran in, only focusing on reaching him. When I got to him, I lifted him up and carried him back. But just as we were leaving the minefield, I stepped on another mine. This time was a 16-landmine. That’s how I lost both of my legs. I wasn’t thinking about myself. I just wanted to get him to the hospital,” Khu Sue Reh recounted, his voice filled with sorrow.

Even after sacrificing his legs, he said what pained him most was that his friend got even more injuries because of the explosion.

“When I stepped on the second mine, my friend suffered further injuries to his back. It’s my fault. Initially, he was only injured in the lower part by the 14-mine, but because of me, his back was also hurt,” he said.

Listening to his story, I really admire and respect him for what he did for his comrades.

Before the coup, Khu Sue Reh was a high school graduate and the eldest son in his family. He worked random jobs to support his family. But when the military seized power, he couldn’t accept the injustice and decided to fight back, leaving behind his dreams and family.

Khu Sue Reh had always been passionate about football and gaming.

“I loved playing football, though I wasn’t great at it. But gaming, I always wanted to be a professional gamer. There are gaming competitions, and I wanted to be part of that world,” he shared.

During the 2023 Loikaw offensive, he stepped on a mine, losing not only his legs but also his dreams of playing football and becoming a gamer.
“My dreams have been shattered. I still want to continue, but it’s no longer possible. I’ve had to give up,” he said with resignation.

Every time he closes his eyes, he relives the traumatic event. Overcoming these moments would have been incredibly challenging for him. Despite his physical and emotional scars, Khu Sue Reh got encouragement and strength in the support of his parents and friends.

“Whenever I close my eyes, I think about the moment I got injured. Sometimes I wonder if I had been more careful, this wouldn’t have happened. But what’s done is done. I try to stay positive, though sometimes I feel like what I did wasn’t enough. My parents and friends have been a great source of strength for me,” he shared.

It has been over a year since Khu Sue Reh has been receiving treatment at a border area. He spends his days and nights in a wheelchair, but his spirit remains unbroken. Despite losing his dreams and being confined to a wheelchair, he has not given up on the revolution.

“If possible, I still want to keep fighting. What happened has made me angry at them [the military]. If they hadn’t done this, we wouldn’t be in this situation. I still want to fight, but I’m undergoing treatment, and I don’t know when I’ll recover. It’s been a long time, and I wonder if I’ll ever be able to do it again. My spirit is willing, but my body can’t,” Khu Sue Reh said with determination.

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