CPAG: 121 Civilians Killed in Afghanistan Violence in March

Violence across Afghanistan killed 121 civilians and injured 322 others in March, according to a Civilian Protection Advocacy Group (CPAG) report.
The deadliest attack was on March 21, when a suicide bomber targeted civilians returning from a New Year celebration in the Kart-i-Sakhi area of Kabul. At least 33 people were killed and 65 injured in that attack, according to Afghan officials.
Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack.
Another suicide attack killed at least 14 and wounded 42 at a sports event in Lashkar Ghah the capital city of southern Helmand province, on March 23.
No group has claimed responsibility for that attack.
CPAG also blamed the Afghan national security and defense forces (ANDSF) for the death of at least eight civilians during a military operation in Chaprahar district of eastern Nangarhar province, on March 17.
The Afghan government said it has developed strict guidelines for the protection of civilians during military operations. But casualties as a result of suicide bombings and other acts of terrorism are a more difficult challenge.
“More civilians are killed during attacks carried out by terrorist groups; the victims of recent attacks in Kabul, Helmand, and Nangarhar are all civilians. Shah Hussain Murtazavi, a spokesperson for the Afghan president said.