In Afghanistan, as many as 573 Afghan civilians were killed and 1,210 wounded in the first three months of 2021, which is a 29 per cent increase as compared to the same period last year.<br />''<br />''According to a UN report released today, the number of women killed and injured has increased 37 per cent while child casualties have jumped 23 per compared with the first quarter of 2020.<br />''<br />''The report said that the overall increase in civilian casualties in the first quarter of 2021 was mainly driven by the same trends that caused the increase at the end of last year which included ground engagements; improvised explosive devices; and targeted killings.     <br />''<span style="color: #222222;">The report said anti-government elements continued to be responsible for the majority of all civilian casualties in the first three months of 2021, while the pro-government forces continued to cause approximately one of the total civilian casualties.</span><br />