Civilian and military deaths and injuries in Afghanistan from suicide attacks and other violence-related incidents by insurgents rose by 12 percent in 1397 Solar year, according to statistics by the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC).

The fall of Ghazni city to the Taliban, for few days, attack on Afghan Army’s 215 Maiwand Corps in southern Helmand province, a suicide attack on a sports complex in Kabul, suicide attack on Mawood tuition center in the west of Kabul and the suicide attacks on a demonstration in Momand Dara district in eastern Nangarhar province were among the deadliest attacks in 1397 which resulted to massive civilian casualties.

The AIHRC statistics show that 3,010 civilians were killed and 7,500 civilians were wounded in 1397.

The Ministry of Interior, meanwhile, said hundreds of Taliban militants were killed during 1397 (March 21, 2018 to March 21, 2019), including 600 commanders and shadow governors of the group. But the ministry’s officials refrained to give an exact figure about the toll among Afghan forces.

On March 8, at least 11 people were killed in an attack on a gathering of Afghan politicians and hundreds of their supporters in the west of Kabul.

Mohammad Ayub and Ghulam Abbas were among those who lost their lives in the attack. They were the only breadwinners of their families.

“There are many problems, especially economic problems and other issues, but I will not surrender and I will stay alongside my mother,” said Humaira, the elder daughter of Mohammad Ayub.

Ayub left behind a widow and two daughters.

The second victim, Ghulam Abbas, has left four children and a widow.

“We are devastated. How can we grow the four children?” said Zohra, Ghulam Abbas’s wife.

Details of four major attacks in 1397:

•             Attack on Maiwand wrestling club left 20 civilians dead and 70 other wounded

•             Attack on Mauood tuition center left 48 students dead and 67 others wounded

•             Attack on Momand Dara protests left 45 civilians dead and 160 others wounded

•             Attack on Green Village Camp in Kabul killed 4 civilians and wounded 95 others

•             Attack on death anniversary of Abdul Mazari killed 11 civilians, 95 others, including 12 women, were wounded in the attack.

•             Attack on a construction company in Nangarhar which killed 16 civilians

“Our statistics show that over 10,575 civilians were killed or wounded last year which shows a 12 percent increase compared to this period a year before,” said Bilal Sediqqi, spokesman to AIHRC.

Afghan security forces also suffered major casualties in 1397.

The attack on Ghazni city left 200 Taliban fighters dead. 100 military personnel and 30 civilians were also killed in the attack.

“I assure the residents of Ghazni that in 1398, the security forces are fully on alert to secure the central province,” said Ramazan Ali Mohseni, Commander of Ghazni Security Department.

An attack by Taliban militants on a training center of National Directorate of Security (NDS) in Maidan Wardak province left at least 43 officers dead and 57 others wounded. Later last month, the Taliban launched a coordinated attack on 215 Maiwand Army Corps which left 26 soldiers dead. Almost 20 militants were killed in the attack.

“In 1397, the security forces in joint cooperation with the defense and air forces of the country carried out over 6,270 joint operations against the enemies of the people of Afghanistan,” said Nusrat Rahimi, spokesman for Ministry of Interior Affairs.