US-led forces in Afghanistan have officially handed over the control of the strategic Nirkh district in the eastern province of Wardak to local Afghan Special Forces.
“As we pledged, our forces have transitioned Nirkh district to Afghan national security forces and they have now assumed full responsibility for security in this key district,” Commander of US-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) General Joseph Dunford said in a statement issued on Saturday.
“The rest of Wardak will continue to transition over time,” the statement added.
The handover took place after Afghan President Hamid Karzai had accused foreign troops including US Special Forces of killings and torturing villagers in Wardak province.
On March 20, President Karzai and General Joseph Dunford agreed on a plan for phased withdrawal of coalition forces from the area.