KABUL - The full responsibility of Bagram prison was handed over to the Afghan government on Monday after US troops handed over around 4,000 prisoners to Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) during the Afghan year 1391.

According to reports around 100 prisoners are currently kept by US troops and are due to be handed over to Afghan security forces by next week.

Around 26 prisoners were freed from the Bagram prison during the first day of prison transition to Afghan government.

Afghan officials said around 949 prisoners were in the custody of US troops despite an agreement on the transfer of prisoners was signed by the two nations.

The transition of Baram prison to Afghan government was completed during a ceremony held in Bagram on Monday which was attended by Afghan defense minister Bismillah Mohammadi, Gen. Joseph Dunford NATO commander and a number of other high level Afghan and American officials.

Chief of the security transition committee Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai said, “One of the national ambitions of the Afghan people was completed by the transition of Bagram prison today.”

Mr. Ahmadzai further added that the transfer of Bagram prison to Afghan government reflects the respect of United States towards the Afghan constitution and law and this will to further improve bilateral ties between the two nations.

In the meantime NATO commander Gen. Joseph Dunford said United States remains committed to assist Afghanistan.

Afghan defense minister Bismillah Mohammadi said Afghan defense ministry is prepared to take security of the prison and assured that the ministry had taken necessary steps for the security of Bagram prison. (KP)