commission about civilian casualties. more than 1600 people killed injust casualties. more than 1600 people killed in just the first six months of this year alone and there are concerns that the fighting is only going to get worse because the international military mission here formally comes to an end by september and many fear that with, you know, the taliban looking in emboldened in peace talks between insurgents and afghan government not making any real process well, the taliban are going to continue trying to push in on afghan cities. they ve already captured around half of all territory in the country in more rural areas as well as a number of border crossings. they had never yet managed to take hold and retain hold an media afghan city and it seems thatis an media afghan city and it seems that is what they are trying to do while afghan forces are doing their best to prevent them from taking that territory. another step is being taken towards winding down the uk government s furl
this is bbc news for viewers in the uk and around the world. i m lucy hockings in tokyo with our main olympic headlines. another gold for team gb at the tokyo games charlotte worthington wins a dramatic bmx park freestyle final. there was a record eighth medal in the pool for team gb silver in the men s axioom medley relay. and a seventh olympic medalfor emma mckeown, as australia won the women s race. and i m lukwesa burak in london with the rest of the day s headlines. young people in england are to be offered covid jab incentives, such as discounts for takeaway food and taxi journeys, in a bid to boost vaccine uptake. the taliban ramp up their offensive on afghan citiies, with reports of heavy fighting
so we re really, really looking towards this protection being in place for them into the autumn and through the winter months as well. the headlines on bbc news. gold for team gb s charlotte worthington in the bmx park freestyle at the tokyo games, and silverfor the men s medley relay team. young people in england are to be offered covid jab incentives such as discounts for takeaway food and taxi journeys in a bid to boost vaccine uptake. the taliban ramp up their offensive on afghan citiies, with reports of heavy fighting in lashkar gah in helmand province. rockets have been fired at kandahar airport as the taliban continues its offensive
against the afghan government. two of the missiles hit the runway and the airport has now been closed to all flights. the militants are trying to seize three major cities in the south and west. they ve entered parts of herat, lashkar gah, and kandahar, afghanistan s second biggest city. i ve been speaking to our correspondent in kabul, secunder kermani. well, we sought to light heavy fighting over night particularly in adrenaline alley, capital of helmand province. you will remember that yesterday the taliban had advanced to a one point we were told 300 metres from the governor s compound right in the centre of lashkar gah. particularly in lashkar gah, capital of helmand province. fighting has been continuing this morning and, as you say, clashes have also been taking place in recent days. elsewhere in the