NATO troops in Afghanistan have pulled out of remote Korengal valley in eastern province of Kunar , as part of their new strategy to protect population centres and minimize operations in remote areas. NATO forces said in a statement that troops had begun leaving the Korengal valley last month but they could still respond to crisis in the area if needed. The statement said the area was once very operationally important, but appropriate to the new strategy which calls for focusing efforts on population centres. U.S. forces have been pulling out of other remote outposts in eastern Afghanistan, where troops trying to control passes used by Taliban fighters have suffered heavy casualties at the hands of militants more familiar with the difficult terrain. Altogether 42 foreign soldiers were killed in the area so far. U.S. forces have already pulled out of much of Nuristan province to the north, where eight American soldiers were killed last year when two of their bases were stormed by militants. US President has announced for 30 thousand extra troops but majority of them will be deployed in population-centric areas of south and north where militants are gaining ground.