<p>A committee "should be formed to assess the very issue and conduct investigations into the civilian casualties across the country," the Taliban said in a statement late last night.<br />The probe should include representatives from the Taliban -- calling itself the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan -- NATO forces, the Organisation of the Islamic Conference, and UN human rights organisations, the statement said.<br /><br />The overwhelming majority of civilian deaths and injuries in the war, nearing the end of its ninth year, have been blamed on the Taliban.<br /><br />The group relies largely on roadside bombs and suicide attackers, which kill and maim indiscriminately.<br /><br />Civilian casualties rose by 31 per cent in the first six months of 2010, the United Nations said last week, with casualties among children up 55 per cent.</p>
<p>A committee "should be formed to assess the very issue and conduct investigations into the civilian casualties across the country," the Taliban said in a statement late last night.<br />The probe should include representatives from the Taliban -- calling itself the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan -- NATO forces, the Organisation of the Islamic Conference, and UN human rights organisations, the statement said.<br /><br />The overwhelming majority of civilian deaths and injuries in the war, nearing the end of its ninth year, have been blamed on the Taliban.<br /><br />The group relies largely on roadside bombs and suicide attackers, which kill and maim indiscriminately.<br /><br />Civilian casualties rose by 31 per cent in the first six months of 2010, the United Nations said last week, with casualties among children up 55 per cent.</p>