The latest report of Pentagon drew a troubling picture of the situation of Afghan security forces despite it concluded that they are gaining capabilities to take the security responsibilities. It shows a tremendous spike in the casualties of Afghan troops—around 80 percent rise in comparison to same period in 2012. Adversely, the casualties of foreign security forces have dropped to 60 percent. Based on the report, around 100 Afghan soldiers lose their lives in fighting with insurgents or fall prey to roadside bombs. However, Afghan authorities do not concur with the report.

Two reasons have   been highlighted. The first one is Afghan security forces have taken the lead in militants. As the report notes that 95 percent of conventional operation and 98 percent of special operations are led by Afghan soldiers, which is of course a success. No doubt, noticing that presently Afghan soldiers deal with armed groups is a happy news and relieve people who fear that visible decline of international force may appear as existential threat. It sends a message that currently Afghan security forces lead the entire operations without the help of foreign military might.

The second which is closely linked the first one is the withdrawal of foreign soldiers. For instance, from almost 100,000 US soldiers, less than half of them are currently present in the country. The number will decline below 15,000--- based on bilateral agreement between Kabul-Washington ---- till the end of 2014, the deadline set for foreign military withdrawal. So, the trend shows that foreign troops have taken the backstage and let Afghans to shoulder their own problems. But the main question is whether our soldiers have the potential to bear such a loss?

Certainly, if accepted to be true, 100 deaths per week are highly worrisome. Both defense and Interior Ministries talk about high rate of attrition. So, such high casualties definitely affect the morals as well as recruitment and maintenance of soldiers. If the rate remains such high, people may not get interested to join army or police ranks.

Therefore, it looks much wise that Afghan government tightens its relation with several powerful countries in order to gain their support in terms of training as well as getting updated weaponry in order to bring down level of troops casualties. Certainly, unless serious measures are held, we would be witness to greater absence, escape and lower rate of recruitment that will be dangerous for the country.