The prospects of security in Afghanistan seem very much dubious. Among the different tactics that the NATO troops have always believed in to be very much useful against the terrorists the night raids are the most important ones. Through the night raids they have been able to achieve remarkable goals but at the same time they have been very much controversial.

Afghan people to a certain extent, Afghan government and some of human rights organizations have been very much critical of them. They are thought of violating the privacy of the people and molest the common people, especially the female. Afghan people have been very much sensitive regarding the concept of "Chadar and Chardiwari" and these attacks are believed to violate it.

President Karzai himself has been very much critical of these attacks and on various occasions has condemned the attacks. He even conditioned the strategic deal with US with the stoppage of night raids. NATO has always considered night raids as one of the most effective of its tactics.

NATO believes that "night operations remain the safest form of operations conducted to take insurgent leaders off the battlefield. In 85 percent of night operations not a single shot is fired and they cause less than one percent of civilian casualties."

However, NATO, because of immense pressure, has always emphasized that night raids should be Afghanized – involving more Afghan troops in such raids. And now they seem to have reached a conclusion in this regard. An agreement has been signed between US and Afghanistan for giving the Afghan forces the authority of leading the night raids.

The reports say that a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between Afghan Defense Minister Gen. Abdul Rahim Wardak and International Security Assistance Force Commander Gen. John Allen in Kabul on Sunday April 8, 2012.

It is really encouraging to see Afghan forces taking the lead role in ensuring the security of the country. However, it must never be forgotten that the issue of security can never be solved by mere transfer of authorities from international forces to Afghan forces, rather it largely depends on when, how and under what circumstances the responsibilities are transferred.

If the time is not ripe and the steps are not in accordance to the challenges of circumstances there is a large possibility that the security arrangements may prove insufficient and incapable and country may become a victim of instability once again.

Gen. Abdul Rahim Wardak, after signing the agreement, told to the reporter, "This (deal) is an important step in strengthening Afghanistan's sovereignty… It has been a longtime desire of the nation that the raids be controlled by Afghans."

He also mentioned that after the deal all operations across the country will be conducted by the Afghan Special Operations Units, including soldiers, police and intelligence personnel. If the need arises, civilian houses would be searched in accordance with national laws.

Moreover, support from US troops would be sought upon the need. The important thing, at this instance, is how effective the night raids conducted by Afghan forces would be and what would be the response of Afghan people in this regard.

President Karzai has always asked for complete halt in night raids. How come he has been satisfied of the mere transfer of authority in the raids? And most importantly, can Afghan forces carryout night raids once they are not allowed by the President of the country? What will be the response of US if, in the greater interest of Afghan people and by command of the President of the country, the Afghan security forces do not carry out the raids? Or does US really care now?

Gen. Allen showed great contentment after the signing ceremony and said, "This is a landmark day in (the) rule of law… In conjunction with the Detentions MoU we signed last month, today's MoU gives tangible expression to the vision of the Afghan Loya Jirga and to the will of the Afghan people… Today we are one important step closer to our shared goal of a secure and sovereign Afghanistan.

Together we will realize this vision." It is positive approach to have optimistic expectations; however, US has to make sure that ongoing transition of security responsibilities must be made very carefully. Transition of security responsibility alone is not what US should be looking at; rather it should be looking at responsible transition of security responsibility.

It should also be noted that this decision comes at a very important juncture within the afghan history. The concerns regarding the future of the peace process and transition period in Afghanistan have been increasing with each passing day.

There are meager expectations that there will be some sort of reconciliation between the government and Taliban, which would pave the way for better socio-political conditions in the country; and that the Afghan security forces and Afghan government would be able to shoulder the responsibilities of governance and the security arrangements in the country after the withdrawal of the US and other foreign troops. But, these all expectations fail to generate any vivid vista, and are rather marked with evident uncertainty. The reconciliation process with Taliban is yet to bear fruits; In fact, it has not been started yet truly.

The Afghan government is yet to learn a lot as far as appropriate governance and political institutionalization are concerned. The democratic values are yet to be nurtured to a great extent. The President office has failed to deal with the parliament appropriately and the conflicts and clashes are dominating the relations and interactions of the organs of the state, which must, for better development of the country function in proper co-operation and co-ordination with one another.

Moreover, the Security concerns are also real and have to be pondered upon with serious considerations. The incapacity of Afghan forces to deal with the security risks is as clear as crystal and at this critical juncture transferring important security responsibilities to them is not something one can be completely confident about just like the other two steps i.e. the transfer of the control of important detention center and release of Taliban leaders from Guantanamo Bay.