KABUL, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has confirmed that at least 36 people, including civilians, have been killed by Taliban and Islamic State (IS) attacks in Mirza Olang district of Sari Pul province between Aug. 3 and Aug. 5, said a report of the entity released on Sunday.
"UNAMA verified allegations that Taliban and local self-proclaimed Islamic State fighters killed at least 36 persons, including civilians and person hors de combat, during the attack on Mirza Olang," the report said, adding that at least half of the killings took place on Aug. 5 when anti-government elements stopped families trying to escape the village.
According to the report, militants had separated women and young children, and killed at least 18 people, both civilians and pro-government militia who were hors de combat at the time of their killing.
UN secretary general special representative for Afghanistan Tadamichi Yamamoto has condemned targeting of civilians, saying "the perpetrators of these killings and crimes must be held accountable."
Previously Afghan government announced that more than 50 people including civilians were brutally killed by Taliban and IS joint attacks in the village of Mirza Olang.
However, Taliban group has rejected its involvement in the bloodshed, but IS claimed responsibility for the bloody attacks.
