10,000 civilians killed, injured in Afghanistan in 2017
Kabul: More than 10,000 civilians were killed or injured in violent attacks in Afghanistan last year, the UN has said.
The annual report released on Thursday by the UN's Mission in Afghanistan (Unama) showed the figure had dropped by 9 percent in 2017 from the previous year, reports the Guardian.
"The chilling statistics in this report provide credible data about the war's impact, but the figures alone cannot capture the appalling human suffering inflicted on ordinary people," Unama's chief Tadamichi Yamamoto said here.
US President Donald Trump introduced a more aggressive strategy in Afghanistan in August last year, including a surge in airstrikes. Militants have retaliated with attacks in Kabul in the past few weeks, killing nearly 150 people.
The total civilian toll last year was 3,438 killed and 7,015 wounded, according to the UN.
Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, called for the "perpetrators to be held accountable", the Guardian reported.
Unama reported a 5 percent rise in the number of women killed, at 359, with 865 injured. Child casualties stood at 3,179 (861 killed and 2,318 injured) - a 10 percent drop from 2016.
The deadliest attack since the UN began documenting civilian casualties in 2009 was in Kabul on May 31, 2017, when a massive truck bomb killed 92 and injured 491.
More than 28,000 civilians have been killed and more than 52,000 wounded in Afghanistan since 2009 when UN officials started documenting the casualties.
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On Good Friday, Goa CM calls for following Christ’s teachings
Panaji (PTI): Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday urged people to reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and the values of love and redemption on the solemn occasion of Good Friday.
In a post on X, Sawant said the teachings of Jesus Christ on compassion, forgiveness and selflessness should continue to guide people towards peace and righteousness.
“On this solemn occasion of Good Friday, let us reflect on the sacrifice of Lord Jesus Christ and the values of love and redemption he stood for,” the chief minister said in the post.
He said Christ’s message of love, compassion and forgiveness continues to remain relevant and inspires society to follow the path of peace and righteousness.
Good Friday marks the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and is observed by Christians across the world as a day of prayer, reflection and remembrance. The coastal state of Goa has a sizeable population of Christians.
