88 Percent Increase in Civilian Casualties: TOLOnews

The monthly security report by TOLOnews indicates an 88 percent increase in civilian casualties across the country during the month of March as compared to last month's report.

Despite a sharp increase in civilian casualties, the report showed a three-fold decrease in insurgent casualties.

In addition, the casualties among security forces also decreased by 40 percent, according to the report - which is compiled monthly by TOLOnews following the transfer of security responsibilities from NATO to Afghan forces.

Based on the report, March recorded the deaths of 472 militants (a 77 percent decrease), 168 security forces (a 40 percent decrease) and 158 civilians (an 88 percent increase).

A total of 1,045 people, most of them insurgents, were injured during March.

The five worst hit provinces were Southern Helmand, which witnessed 90 security incidents – the highest in the country – while Ghazni, Herat, Nangarhar and Kandahar were the other four provinces respectively with the highest number of security incidents.
The report identified central Bamiyan and northern Samangan as the safest provinces as neither recorded any incidents.

During March, the Afghan forces conducted about 400 anti-insurgent operations around the country, and seized a large quantity of arms and ammunitions.

In addition, 44 mine explosions and 57 armed attacks by insurgents were recorded in the country, while 23 abductions and other incidents also occurred.

The Afghan forces launched 11 air strikes in the same period, while insurgents carried out 11 suicide bombings.

Admitting to an increase in insurgent attacks on civilians, the Ministry of Interior Affairs (MoI) spokesman Sediq Sediqqi said efforts were underway to further protect civilians during the armed conflicts.

"One of the main objectives of the terrorists is to target civilians, but efforts are underway to prevent these attacks," Sediqi said.
MPs, meanwhile, warn of a further increase in civilian casualties if the government doesn't take serious measures to thwart attacks.

"If comprehensive measures are not taken, Afghanistan will face more insecurity in the coming months," lawmaker Mohammad Iqbal Safi warned.

This year, the Afghan forces - left alone in combat - will face tough challenges in dealing with newly-emerged Daesh militants and overcoming the expected summer offensive.