Kabul: The Taliban in Afghanistan have signalled a willingness to cooperate with international forces, the United Nations and human rights groups to investigate civilian deaths that happened in the war.
A committee "should be formed to assess the very issue and conduct investigations into the civilian casualties across the country," the terrorist group said in a statement on Sunday.
The probe should include representatives from the Taliban, calling itself the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, as well as NATO forces, the Organisation of the Islamic Conference, and UN human rights organisations, the statement said.
The overwhelming majority of civilian deaths and injuries, which took place during the war, now nearing the end of its ninth year, have been blamed on the Taliban. The group relies largely on roadside bombs and suicide attackers, which kill and maim indiscriminately.
Civilian casualties rose by 31 per cent in the first six months of 2010, the United Nations said last week, with casualties amongst children up 55 per cent.
