KABUL, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- About 240 Afghan civilians were killed and 350 others injured in clashes and terrorist attacks in September, a monitor group reported Tuesday.

"The massive civilian casualties occurred in 20 of the country's 34 provinces in September, at least 240 people were martyred and more than 350 others wounded," the independent Civilian Protection Advocacy Group (CPAG) said in a press release.

In one incident, on Sept. 11, at least 68 people were killed and 165 others wounded when a suicide bomber targeted a protest rally in Muhmand Dara district of eastern Nangarhar province.

The group said that despite targeted killings and attacks, most casualties were inflicted on civilians as a result of air-and-ground operations of security forces which have raised the concerns of the people.

"CPAG in its latest monthly report said that nearly 123 civilians were suffered casualties in 12 provinces of the country as a result of Afghan and foreign forces air-and-ground operations. At least 103 people were martyred and 20 others wounded. Women and children are among the casualties," it said.

CPAG has asked the government to stop harming civilians during nighttime operations and take serious steps to prevent civilian casualties, the press release noted.

In August, 262 civilians lost their lives and 524 injured as a result of terrorist attacks and clashes across the country, according to figures of CPAG.?