Civilian Casualties At All Time High

The number of civilians killed in Afghanistan since the US-led invasion a decade ago hit record levels last year, according to a new report.

Some 2,421 civilians were killed, the Kabul-based Afghanistan Rights Monitor said.

Correspondents say most officials are expecting at least the same level of violence, if not higher, this year.

'Fear and intimidation'

As many as seven civilians were killed every day in Afghanistan last year, a record in the nine-year-old war, according to the Afghanistan Rights Monitor.

"Over 3,270 were injured in conflict-related security incidents across Afghanistan," the report said.