Zeenews Bureau
Kabul: In wake of surging Afghan insider attacks and growing anti-Western sentiments over an anti-Islam film, NATO on Tuesday decided to scale back its joint operations with Afghan forces.
Citing increasing instances of “green-on-blue” attacks in which Afghan security forces turn their guns on international troops, NATO ordered halting of joint operations for units smaller than 800-strong battalions and only large operations will now be conducted jointly, with joint patrols evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
"The need for that will be evaluated on a case by case basis and approved by regional commanders," said Major Adam Wojack, a spokesman for NATO-led International Security Assistance Force.
So far a total of 51 NATO troops have been killed in Afghanistan as compared to just two last year.
Also the increasing furore over an anti-Islam film has only added to the wrath and frenzy against Westerners, further endangering the lives of NATO troops in Afghanistan.
The decision was announced by International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) today after 12 foreigners were blown away while travelling in a minibus in Kabul, when a female suicide bomber rammed her explosive-laden car into the vehicle culminating into a deadly week of violence against foreigners in Afghanistan.
Today’s attack which was in response to the anti-Islam film, comes after a deadly attack by Taliban on NATO base in Afghanistan, demolishing six US fighter jets and also killing of six NATO soldiers by suspected Afghan police. Another attack claimed 8 Afghan women’s lives.
Meanwhile Nato-led Isaf forces said they had arrested a Taliban leader and two insurgents involved in an attack on NATO base Camp Bastion in Afghanistan’s Helmand province that targeted Prince Harry.
With Agency Inputs
