ISLAMABAD, Nov 7: The United Nation on Tuesday said that the incessant bombing in Afghanistan was not only resulting in increased civilian casualties but also seriously hampering its relief operations.

Speaking at a news conference, United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance to Afghanistan (UNOCHAA) spokesperson, Hasan Firdous, said that UN Mine Action Programme for Afghanistan (MAPA) has confirmed reports of civilian casualties in a village, Ishaq Suleiman Zai near Herat, where on Nov 1, a person was killed by cluster bombs.

UN official said that MAPA staff has also confirmed serious injuries to two children at Quala Shakar on November 3.

“With new reports received from MAPA, it is safe to assume that there must be other casualties,” Mr Firdous said.

About effect on UN humanitarian relief operations, UNOCHAA spokesperson said that efforts to establish camps for Internal Displaced Persons (IDPs) inside Afghanistan are hampered by the day time aerial bombings. The delivery of aid and efforts to ascertain the number of IDPs in need of assistance are also affected by the bombings, he said.

The spokesperson said that security situation inside Northern Afghanistan is deteriorating and the local authorities are finding it difficult to distribute aid due to lootings by armed elements. He said that an NGO has been forced to close all its eye clinics in Northern and Western Afghanistan.