Over 600 Afghan soldiers killed during the past 2 months

Hundreds of Afghan national army soldiers were killed in various incidents across the country during the past two months, Afghan defense ministry officials said on Monday.

Afghan defense ministry spokesman Gen. Zahir Azimi on Monday told reporters at least 616 Afghan national army soldiers were killed in Nawid military operations since 21 June 2012.

The statistics shows an increase in Afghan national army casualties as compared to the same period in 2011.

According to Afghan defense ministry officials, majority of the Afghan army service members have been killed in roadside improvised explosive device explosions.

Taliban militants and other insurgents groups frequently use improvised explosive device as the weapon of their choice to target Afghan and coalition security forces.

However Afghan civilians are also suffering casualties besides the Afghan and coalition security forces in roadside bomb blasts.

In the meantime Afghan defense ministry spokesman Gen. Zahir Azimi said Afghan security forces have managed to explore or defuse at least 1900 improvised explosive devices during this period.