The year 2011 is over; among many other issues and incidents that marked this year, the completion of 10 years of war against terrorism is one of them. This war was started with great enthusiasm and determination to put an end to terrorism from Afghanistan. However, there are not yet clear indications that the menace of terrorism has been eradicated or will be eradicated soon; rather the situation points at the deterioration of peace and tranquility.

The year 2011 has been deadly for both Afghan civilians and foreign troops. Though International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) is of the view that the year has been relatively peaceful, the UN has mentioned that violence has, in fact, enhanced.

According to data from an independent website – icasualties.org, more than 560 troops have been killed, among which 417 from the US and 45 from Britain. Though this number is less than the number in 2010 (711), it, on the other hand, is higher than the number in 2009 (521).

The most dominant of the assaults that targeted the international troops included; the car bombing of ISAF convoy in Kabul that resulted in the death of 17 troops and then the deadly attack on NATO helicopter in Wardak that took the lives of 30 US troops.

Apart from the International troops the attacks on civilians have been very much threatening as well. The most dominant one of them took place quite recently in Kabul, on a Shiite shrine that killed more than 80 people and wounded many others.

Definitely the sacrifices for the Afghanistan have been huge; nevertheless, the security situation will definitely face great challenges once the foreign troops completely withdraw from the country. All the responsibilities of the security of the country would be properly shouldered by Afghan forces or not is a question of great concern.

The international community, in fact, seems in a hurry to withdraw and is striving to have some sort of governing mechanism in the country and reconciliation with Taliban. There have been hasty steps in this regard, which would not take the country towards lasting peace and tranquility but would be just like passing the buck.

In fact, the international community wants to have a sort of arrangement which would, to a certain extent, satisfy the country and the international world that peace and tranquility have been assured; however the concerns are truly very much serious that the insecurity is threatening the country and in fact the entire region.