UN: Record Number Of Civilian Deaths In Afghanistan In 2011

Security forces keep watch at the scene of a suicide bombing in Helmand Province

A record number of civilians were killed in Afghanistan in 2011, the fifth year in a row the figure has risen, according to a new UN report.

The report from the UN Assistance Mission In Afghanistan (UNAMA) said that 3,021 civilians were killed, most of them by insurgents.

According to UNAMA, 2,790 civilians were killed in 2010.

UNAMA said roadside bombs and suicide bombers killed more people -- 967 -- than any other type of attack.

The report stated that Taliban militants were responsible for 77 percent of civilian deaths in 2011 while NATO and Afghan forces were to blame for 14 percent. Nine percent could not be attributed to either side.

The report also said an estimated 185,632 people were displaced, a 45 percent increase over 2010.

compiled from agency reports