In Afghanistan NATO troops today handed over the control of Panjshir valley to Afghan forces in the latest of a series of security transitions. Speaking at the official transition ceremony in Panjshir today defence minister Abdul Rahim Wardak said transition in Panjshir has a symbolic importance because the security of this place was in the hands of its own people in the last 10 years. Situated around 130 kilometres northeast of the capital Kabul Panjshir velley is one of Afghanistan's peaceful regions. It is the sixth of seven areas to be put under local forces' control in the first phase of security transition. Security of Bamyan, Lashkargah, Mehtarlam, Herat city and Mazar-e-Sharif has already been transferred to Afghan forces. In the first phase of security transition entire Kabul province except its Surobi district is to be handed over to Afghan security forces. As announced by Afghan President Karzai the process of security transition is likely to be completed with the withdrawal of 150,000 NATO-led troops by the end of 2014.