The United Nations says the war in Afghanistan is causing more civilian deaths and injuries than ever before.
A report released in Kabul says most of the casualties were caused by roadside bombings.
The BBC reports the number of civilians killed or injured in Afghanistan has jumped 31%, despite a fall in the number of casualties caused by Nato-led forces.
More than 1,250 civilians were killed in the first six months of 2010 and another 1,997 civilians were injured, the latest UN six-monthly report shows.
The Taliban and other insurgents were responsible for 76% of the casualties, up from 53% last year. These are the worst civilian figures in the past nine years of the conflict.
According to the UN report, 176 children were killed and 389 injured in the first six months of 2010, up 55% compared with the same period last year.
Most of the casualties were caused by larger and more sophisticated improvised explosive devices used by insurgents.
The report noted that the number of civilians executed by insurgents also rose by 95%, especially in the southern part of the country, and included the public executions of children.
