ISAF to focus on boosting Kunduz civil sector

KUNDUZ CITY (PAN): After the transfer of security control to Afghan forces in northern Kunduz province, foreign troops are focusing on boosting the civil sector, a coalition commander said on Monday.

The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) commander in northern zone, Maj. Gen. Erich Pfeffer, said foreign soldiers were playing a supportive role following the security switch in the province.

Pfeffer was addressing a gathering held in conjunction with the transfer of operational and training command from the Provincial Reconstruction Team to the German Cooperative Team in Kunduz.

Kunduz security was handed over to Afghan troops last week except in the Khanabad district of the province.

The handover reflected the fact that Afghan forces were capable of maintaining peace in the province and people could travel freely to any part of Kunduz, he said.

“We will continue to support Afghan forces with equipment and training to enable them to defend the country after the withdrawal of ISAF troops in 2014,” added Pfeffer.

There are 4,800 German soldiers based in Afghanistan, mostly in northern and northeastern parts of the country. Since the war against terrorism began a decade back, 53 German soldiers had been killed in Afghanistan.

myn/vp/mud

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