Nato halts contracts with Afghan allies to stem insider attacks

Nato ordered a cutback on Tuesday on operations alongside Afghan forces in response to a surge of “insider attacks” on foreign servicemen, a move that could complicate plans to hand security over to Afghan forces ahead of a 2014 drawdown.

The order, issued by the second most senior US commander in Afghanistan, Lieutenant-General James Terry, indefinitely suspends joint operations for units smaller than 800-strong battalions, where most training and mentoring takes place.

“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 the 100,000-strong Nato-led coalition backing the Afghan government against Taliban insurgents.

The order, Wojack said, would impact on the “vast majority” of the 350,000 Afghan National Security Force members who will now have to operate without support from coalition allies. That will deal a blow to Nato’s longstanding focus on training.

At least 51 foreign troops have been killed in “insider” attacks this year, in which Afghan police officers have turned their weapons on their Western mentors. That represents a spike of more than 40 per cent on similar incidents throughout last year.

The order was issued after successive weekend attacks by Afghan police left six foreign soldiers dead in the volatile south, from where the Taliban draws most support.

Wojack said Afghan forces had already taken responsibility for security operations in many areas, including districts with a strong insurgent presence, while operations could be approved on a case-by-case basis.