KABUL: A report released by the UN mission in Afghanistan shows an eight per cent rise in the number of civilians killed or wounded as a result of ground battles between security forces and militants.

The findings released on Sunday reflected the movement of militants into built-up areas in the three months since Nato forces ended their combat mission.

The report by the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan said ground fighting killed 136 civilians and wounded another 385 in the first three months of the year. It said ground fighting remained the leading cause of conflict-related deaths for women and children.

It said total civilian casualties declined by two per cent during those three months compared to the same period last year, to 655 dead and 1,155 wounded.

Published in Dawn, April 13th, 2015

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