PAN, February 15, 2011

By Khwaja Basir Ahmad

KABUL - The number of civilians, security forces and insurgents killed last week rose to 112, a 57 percent increase on the previous week, an official said on Monday.



Site of blast in Kabul City Center on February 14, 2011. (Photo: PAN) Site of blast in Kabul City Center on February 14, 2011. (Photo: PAN)

The victims include 51 insurgents, 30 civilians and 31 policemen, the interior ministry spokesman, Zumarai Bashari, told reporters during a press conference in Kabul.

Two militants were injured and 145 others were arrested during the week, Bashari said, adding, 50 civilians and 60 policemen were wounded.

Casualties among insurgents rose 45 percent, civilians 46 percent and police 57 percent, he said.

Bashari said the reason for the increase was the two suicide attacks in northern Kunduz and southern Kandahar province which had caused “massive casualties” among police and civilians.

The insurgent’s death toll had risen because security forces had stepped up their attacks, he said.

During last week, insurgents had launched 61 attacks and 145 rebels had been arrested, Bashari said.

In the whole of January, 773 civilians, police and insurgents were killed, Bashari said.

About 193 weapons, 98 mines and improvised explosive devices were recovered and submitted to the Disbandment of Illegal Armed Groups (DIAG).

According to Bashari, 6.2 tonnes of explosives which could be used to make 300 bombs were recovered during the week.

There were 100 incidents of crime, including murder, burglary, kidnapping and others over the past week. Some 51 cases had been solved and 71 suspects arrested, he said.

Crime had fallen 23 percent compared to last week, he said.