83 civilians killed last month

KABUL): As many as 83 civilians were killed and 260 others wounded as a result of 440 incidents of violence last month, an interior ministry official said on Sunday.

Without giving details, ministry spokesman Zmaray Bashari told a news conference in Kabul the main cause of the soaring civilian deaths was stepped-up militant attacks.

According to the United Nations, 2,700 civilians were killed in Afghanistan last year, showing an increase of about 15 percent over 2009.

Last month, 325 militants were killed and 65 others wounded, Bashari told journalists.  Additionally, 99 Afghan policemen were killed and 297 wounded.

He added 767 suspects were arrested on the charge of involvement in militant activities. The spokesman continued 477 weapons were recovered and handed over to the Disbandment of Illegal Armed Groups (DIAG).

Police discovered and defused 749 roadside bombs, Bashari said, adding that of the 528 crimes that took place across the country, 326 were registered.

About 440 suspects, arrested on the charge of involvement in criminal activities, were under investigation, he said.

Counternarcotics police conducted 187 raids, seizing 11 tonnes of illicit drugs and three tonnes of chemicals in different parts of the country.

More than 7,300 acres of the outlawed poppy crop were eradicated as part of a countrywide operation that is still ongoing.

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