Pics: 'Civilian casualties in Afghanistan touched record high in 2016 first half'

Kabul, July 25: Civilian casualties in Afghanistan touched a record high in the first half of 2016, the UN said on Monday (July 25), with the children in particular paying a heavy price as insurgent groups step up fighting.

"Between January and June this year, the UN documented 1,601 civilian deaths and 3,565 injured civilians. This represents an increase of four percent in the total number of casualties compared to the first six months of 2015," the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan said.

Digging graves for July 23 suicide attack victims

Afghan men dig graves for victims of a suicide attack, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Sunday, July 24, 2016.

A day of mourning for the South Asian country

Afghan women mourn during the funeral of victims who died from a suicide attack, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Sunday, July 24, 2016.

An injured being taken for treatment

Afghans help an injured man after an explosion struck a protest in Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday, July 23, 2016.

Horrific photos in the violence-ravaged country

Afghans look at property of victims of an explosion that struck a protest march, that is displayed on a large representation of the Afghan flag, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday, July 23, 2016.

Injured undergo treatment in a hospital

Injured Afghans lie in a hospital after a deadly explosion struck a protest march by ethnic Hazaras, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday, July 23, 2016.

AFP