Mines as a weapon are stationary explosive devices aimed at killing and incapacitating live forces, and destruction or damaging of vehicles, technical utilities and buildings. They can be placed in water, in the ground, on the ground (barren as well as overgrown with plants) as well as in various objects or things. According to their placement and their effect we can divide them into underwater mines and land mines. One of the underlying characteristics of mines is that they, unlike other weapons, are triggered by the victim. Once laid, these mines can lay dormant within the cover of plants for years and can be automatically triggered by a passing object (boat, vehicle, human, animal...). They are usually triggered either by applying pressure on them (stepping on them) or by pulling a tripwire, upon which they explode. Mines can contain an explosive charge weighing from few dozens grams to several hundred grams. General classification of land mines divides them into antipersonnel mines and antitank mines.
This picture shows some types of mines which were laid across Bosnia and Herzegovina during the recent war. If you want to get more in-depth explanation on mines please download the additional material via this link: