The findings of the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) indicate that in the first week since the start of the peace talks in Doha, 19 civilians were killed and 45 were wounded as a result of the conflict

The commission said that civilian casualties are unacceptable amid the efforts for peace in Doha.

“Between September 12 and September 19, 64 civilians were killed and wounded in various regions of the country,” said Zabiullah Farhang, a spokesman for the AIHRC.

Afghan security sources have said that the scale of violence has expanded to 24 provinces of the country since the start of the Afghan negotiations in Doha on September 12.

“The violence continues and sometimes the scale of violence increases; the increase in violence has no justification,” said Rasoul Talib, a member of the peace negotiating team representing the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

According to the Afghan security agencies, an average of 30 members of the Afghan security forces are being killed on daily basis.

“Increase in violence has created major concerns for the people, we are concerned about it, we hope that the talks in Doha lead Afghanistan to a ceasefire,” said Faraidon Khawzon, a spokesman for the High Council for National Reconciliation.

On September 22, the Ministry of Interior Affairs said that its findings indicate that at least 98 civilians were killed and 230 others were wounded in Taliban attacks in 24 provinces in the last two weeks as violence increases in the country amid the ongoing peace efforts.

But the Taliban rejected these numbers, saying that the government’s major operations in nine provinces have increased the conflicts with the group.

The increase in violence comes amid efforts by the negotiating team of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Doha to start direct talks with the Taliban. The two sides have held four small "contact" group meetings over the last nine days to try and decide the rules, agenda and scheduling for the official talks.