Statistics by TOLOnews indicate that 60 civilians were killed and 143 more were wounded in explosions and armed attacks in four provinces from October 23-27.  

The civilians were killed attacks in Kabul, Ghazni, Khost and Zabul provinces, the findings indicate. One of the attacks happened near a tutoring center in the west of Kabul on Saturday evening in which more than 30 people, mostly students of the center, were killed and 77 others were wounded. Another attack happened in Khost province on Tuesday morning. The attack involved seven attackers with three explosive-laden vehicles. The attack left five civilians dead and 33 others wounded.

Five civilians were killed and 13 others wounded in another explosion in downtown Kabul on Tuesday, according to police. 

Eight civilians were killed in two explosions in Zabul, the Zabul governor's office said. 

Also, 10 civilians were killed in an explosion in Ghazni on Friday. 

Meanwhile, according to Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission, 30 children were killed in the country in militant attacks in the last four days. 

Hashem Nazari was a victim of a recent attack in PD10 of Kabul city on Tuesday. He was student of seventh grade at school. Nazari was on his way to school when an explosion took his life. 

“He was on his way to school. A suicide attack happened at around 1:30pm. First we thought that he is at school,” said Nazir Nazari, victim’s father. 

Ali Akbar is another victim who lost his life at the same explosion in PD10 of Kabul. 

Ali Akbar was working at a workshop in Kabul. He was engaged and his family planned to celebrate his wedding party next week. 

“He was the elder son of his family. He studied till class 6th. He was busy to feed his family,” said Mohammad Basir Qasimi, victim’s uncle. 

“There is a dire need for a ceasefire. They must stop further violation of the rights of the Afghan people,” said Zabihullah Farhang, a spokesman for Afghan Human Rights Commission. 

UN Report on Civilian Casualties

The UN mission to Afghanistan (UNAMA) report released on Tuesday said that overall the civilian casualty figure for the first nine months of 2020 dropped by around 30 percent compared to the same period in 2019, but while the number of civilian casualties is lowest in the first nine months of any year since 2012, “the harm done to civilians remains inordinate and shocking.” 

UNAMA documented that Anti-Government Elements (AGEs) remain responsible for the majority of civilian casualties (58 per cent). Compared to the same period in 2019, the amount of civilian deaths attributed to AGEs remained at similar levels, although there was a decrease. 

The report said that the number of civilians killed attributed to the Taliban increased by six percent in the first nine months of 2020, adding that the overall number of civilian casualties – killed and injured – attributed to the Taliban dropped by 32 percent, mainly due to a reduction in the number of civilians injured by suicide attacks and ground engagements, though this was partially offset by an increased number of civilian casualties from targeted killings and illegal, indiscriminate pressure-plate improvised explosives devices (IEDs). 

Attacks causing civilian casualties carried out by undetermined age increased. There were more incidents, especially in relation to the use of IEDs and targeted killings, in which UNAMA could not determine which anti-government group was responsible. This also corresponds with a decrease in the number of incidents for which the Taliban or Daesh claimed responsibility.