At least 1,056 Afghan army soldiers were killed in a variety of attacks in 2012, a report issued by the Afghan Defence Ministry announced Sunday. "More than 75 per cent of the (deceased) Afghan National Army soldiers have been killed due to landmines and roadside bombs," Zahir Azimi, spokesman for the Defence Ministry, said, reading from the army report for 2012. The Afghan army has so far taken over about 75 per cent of the nation's security responsibilities. It is expected to assume those duties for the entire country in 2013, according to officials. The 195,000-strong army, equipped with modern weapons and armaments, have filled all their vacancies, Azimi said, calling 2012 a year of significant achievements for the Afghan army. The report, however, says the Afghan army still has some challenges ahead. The ministry also said in the report that thousands of insurgents have been killed, injured and arrested in 2012.
