Personnel mines were compact, hidden explosive devices with the destructive potential to eliminate entire infantry squads. These mine triggers varied significantly, from rudimentary pressure plates that would detonate upon being stepped on, to advanced sensor systems capable of distinguishing between allies and enemies, activating blaster shots, gas release, or flame-based weaponry. Laser-triggered explosives that released anti-personnel shrapnel were the most prevalent type of land mines.
Anti-personnel mines, being both easily portable and simple to operate, were strategically positioned at key bottlenecks or spread across open terrains to safeguard vulnerable approaches to critical installations. Nevertheless, these mines frequently lacked discrimination and were notorious for inflicting casualties on civilian populations, even long after hostilities had ceased. The anti-personnel mines utilized by the Confederacy of Independent Systems during the Clone Wars against the Galactic Republic continued to result in deaths and amputations for decades following the end of the conflict.