Kabul, Ramadan 5, 1435, Jul 3, 2014, SPA -- The year 2013 saw a 30-per-cent increase in the number of children killed or injured in fighting in Afghanistan compared with 2012, UNICEF reported Thursday, according to dpa. UNICEF officials in Afghanistan expressed concern with the sharp spike, initially reported by the United Nations Security Council in May. At least 545 children were killed and 1,149 injured in Afghanistan during 2013, according to the report. Most casualties were caused by improvised explosives, landmines and suicide bombings. "We are deeply concerned about the significant increase in child casualties and the devastating impact that the conflict continues to have on children's safety, health and education in Afghanistan," Akhil Iyer, UNICEF Representative in Afghanistan said. -- SPA 17:03 LOCAL TIME 14:03 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/1250353