Afghan 'human cost' soars

The number of civilians killed or wounded in Afghanistan has reportedly soared to 31 per cent in the first six months of this year.

More than 1,200 Afghans were killed and almost 2,000 injured in the first six months of the year, according to the latest United Nations Assistance Mission report.

"The human cost of this conflict is unfortunately rising," Staffan De Mistura, the UN special envoy in Afghanistan said while releasing the report.

Taliban and other anti-government elements were held responsible to more than three quarters of all civilian casualties, while 12 per cent were attributed to pro-government forces.