Last month, nearly 2,600 casualties occurred in Afghanistan

KABUL (Pajhwok): Over 2,500 people were killed and injured in September, which saw a seven percent decline in casualties but a 20 percent surge in attacks, compared with August, Pajhwok Afghan News figures indicate.

Last month, statistics show, 13 people suffered casualties in each attack, compared with 17 while in August. In September, 169 attacks took place in different parts of the country, compared with 163 in August.

Last month 1,460 people were killed and 1,140 others injured in 29 provinces of the country. Reports suggest most casualties resulted from face-to-face fighting than from suicide assaults, airstrikes, targeted attacks, blast and helicopters crashes.

 

 

 

 

 

Last month, 20 attacks happened in Nangarhar, 16 in Jawzjan, 15 in Kandahar, 14 in Farah, 11 each in Faryab and Zabul, 10 in Helmand and the remaining 22 in other provinces. In September there were no reports of casualties from Bamyan, Nuristan, Daikundi, Nimroz and Panjsher.

Military experts say the presence of Daesh and other militant groups has led to a surge in insecurity in Nangarhar.

 

Casualties

In September, 1,460 people were killed and 1,140 others injured. Rebels, security forces and civilians were among the casualties. But Pajhwok could not compile specific casualty figures because different sources provided different versions.

On the other hand, findings of the Civilian Protection Advocacy Group (CPAG) show 240 people were killed and more than 350 others injured in 20 provinces last month.

 

 

Last month, not a single passed without attacks or casualties. On September 11, 540 people were killed and injured in a string of attacks in different parts of the country.

On this deadliest day, a suicide attack targeted protesters in the Daka locality of Momand Dara district in Nangarhar.

Fifty-one people were killed and 150 others injured in the attack. The suicide bombing targeted the civilians protesting against an Afghan Local Police commander.

 

 

 

In August, most casualties took place in Ghazni, Faryab, Paktia, Logar, Farah, Kabul, Helmand, Kandahar, Paktika and Baghlan.

Defence analysts link the rise and fall of casualties in one or the other area to the tactical approach towards fighting.

Military experts believe more casualties happen in a more populated place in guerrilla warfare.

Afghan forces, supported by foreign troops, have been engaged in fighting with the Taliban for the past 17 year.

Past experiences show casualties and attacks surge in Afghanistan in the summer and decline in the winter.

According to Pajhwok reports, there was heavier fighting in last year’s spring and summer than in winter and fall. More casualties happened in spring and summer. Although there was a decline in casualties during September, overall the ongoing year was deadlier.

On average, over 19,000 people were killed and injured in the first nine months of last year. This year, more than 20,500 people have been killed and injured over the first eight months.

Last year, 25,000 people were killed and injured across the country.

  

Stop fighting, make peace

Stop fighting and reconcile is a message to the Taliban from the individuals who have lost their near and dear ones to the ongoing conflict.

Mohammad Hassan, a cousin of Zakia who was killed in the armed attack on an educational centre in Kabul last month, said her loss had brought unforgettable grief to the family. Her mother has since suffered a heart attack.

“She was a polite and decent girl, a year from completing her school education. She wanted to get prepared for the entry test,” Hassan added.

Nazanin, a resident of Farah province who lost her father in a blast, said she studied in class three. “Peace is a blessing; I could become a doctor if there is peace. My father was a police official who was killed by the Taliban. I want the Taliban to reconcile and stop fighting.”

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