According to a report issued by the United Nations, year 2013 proved once again mortal in regards of civilian casualties. Year 2011 was the most fatal when more than 3100 citizens were killed and many more were injured. While 2012 was comparatively better and there was a decline in civilian casualties. However, 2013 proved worse than 2012 and 3000 citizens were killed and more 5600 were injured. Majority of these casualties were involved of children and women. These casualties and injured were recorded as result of road-side bombing, the firing and clashes of Taliban and Afghan security forces and similar incidents. According to the report, casualties of children and women increased by 34 and 36 percent respectively.

It is alarming that as the date of the exit of foreign forces is getting closer, the activities of Taliban and militants are increasing resulting in the increase in the civilian casualties. In most parts of the country, Afghan security forces are now in command of the security and they have shown their efficiency and ability to handle the security situation but increasing attacks by Taliban and militants on them is also alarming.

Although our leaders and majority of people are confident about the ability of our security forces to control the security situation but at the same time, increasing lawlessness can deteriorate this belief of people and may result in serious lack of trust on them. Our forces are claimed to have enough training and equipment to tackle all the security threats to the country; both internal and external, but to win and sustain the confidence of people, they will have to act more professionally and show more activeness in their duties.

We have the example of Iraq when the security conditions badly deteriorated after the exit of international security forces and their local security organizations were not able to control the security situation and once again, Iraq has become as dangerous and violent as it was in its worst unstable conditions. The example of Iraq is very much similar to that of Afghanistan and our security forces must work to avoid any such situation. It is also claimed that so many international powers and their agencies are involved in aiding and supporting Taliban and other anti-state forces and if the security conditions are to improve, these leaking points should be addressed first. This becomes a purely political issue and our leaders need to perform their duties in this regard.