Transition towns expect more Taliban attacks

NATO’s gradual handover of security to Afghan control has continued with a ceremony in Mehterlam in the province of Laghman.

It is one of seven areas to be transferred this week in the build-up to a withdrawal of all foreign combat troops by the end of 2014.

But Ashraf Ghani Ahmadadzai who is head of the Transition Commission tried to calm concerns that Taliban insurgents will carry out more attacks to try and disrupt the transition.

“The world’s strong support is with us, no one should think that the transition means that the world is abandoning us.”

Ahead of Wednesday’s handover of Lashkar Gar in Helmand province, security has been stepped up.

Seven police officers were killed two days ago in an attack on a checkpoint.

Helmand is a Taliban stronghold and Lashkar Gar’s transfer is a critical test of the readiness of Afghan forces to assume control.

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