The United States has welcomed President Karzai’s announcement that Afghan forces will take over the charge of security in seven areas of the country from July. That is the time when the first step in a long process of withdrawal of foreign troops will begin.1 The regions named in the plan are Panjshir, Kabul, Bamiyan, Herat, Mazar I Sharif, Mehtarlam and Lashkargah in Helmand province.2

However, Taliban insurgents have abducted a group of would be Afghan police recruits in Kunar province of North East Afghanistan. The group was ambushed when they had gone to sign up for recruitment for security forces. A negotiation is being by village elders with the Taliban to free the abducted men.3

• 1. “US welcomes Karzai's Nato pullout plan from Afghanistan”, BBC, March 23 at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-12827978
• 2. “Karzai announces Afghan forces ready to take over some provinces”, Yahoo News, March 22, 2011 at http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/20110322/wl_csm/371483
• 3. “Taliban seize group of would-be Afghan police recruits”, BBC, March 27 at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-12874692