Kabul, Aug 3 (TIWN) The number of civilian casualties in Afghanistan increased in July with over 1,500 non-combatants were either killed or injured in the war-torn country, the UN said on Saturday.

The number of civilian deaths and injuries has been rising despite peace talks by the US and the Taliban gaining momentum. The fresh round of talks between the two sides began on Saturday in Doha, Efe news reported.  "As peace efforts have intensified in recent weeks so too has the conflict on the ground," said Tadamichi Yamamoto, the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan.