The NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Thursday that the alliance is ready to open a new chapter in its relationship with Afghanistan.

Appearing in a press conference together with President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, the NATO Secretary General said the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) has achieved what it set out to do.

He said, “We have made our nations safer by pursuing the international terrorists who used Afghanistan as a safe haven to launch horrific attacks. And we have made Afghanistan stronger by helping to build capable national security forces.”

Mr. Stoltenberg further added, “Next year, we will open a new chapter. The future of Afghanistan will be in Afghan hands. But our support will continue.”

“Together, we have created the conditions for a better future for Afghan men, women and children”, he said. “This progress has come at great cost. To NATO, our partners, and to Afghanistan. We will hold those who lost their lives in our memory. And we must honor them by remaining committed to our common efforts.”

Stoltenberg arrived in Afghanistan following an unannouned visit to Afghanistan to take stock of the progress made during the 13 year ISAF mission and launch of the new Resolute Support mission on January 1.

NATO will launched a new non-combat mission – Resolute Support mission to train, advise and assist Afghan security forces as of January 1, 2015. The NATO-led ISAF mission will end on 31 December 2014.

At least 26 prisoners were injured following a rocket attack on Bagram detention facility, according to security officials.

The incident took place late on Friday after a rocket fired by militants landed in the detention facility.

The Ministry of Defense (MoD) spokesman, Gen. Zahir Azimi confirmed that 26 prisoners were injured following the attack.

Gen. Azimi further added that the injured prisoners were shifted to hospital and their health condition have been reported stable.

The Taliban militants group claimed responsibility behind the attack on detention facility.

Zabiullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the Taliban group claimed that the Bagram air base came under rocket attack for at least three times on Friday.

Mujahid said heavy casualties were incurred following the rocket attacks.

 

  At least two women were injured following cross-border shelling in eastern Kunar province of Afghanistan on Friday.

The incident took place on Friday morning after the Pakistani military fired at least 11 artillery shells in Sarkano district.

The Ministry of Interior (MoI) said the rockets landed on a number of villages in Sarkano district.

MoI strongly condemned the shelling by Pakistani military and said the government of Pakistani remains accountable for the persistent shelling.

This comes as another woman was injured following cross-border shelling in Kunar province around two weeks ago.

The Pakistani military has been shelling eastern provinces of Afghanistan, specifically eastern Kunar province during the recent years.

Dozens of people have been killed or injured while several others have been forced to flee the area due to persistent shelling by Pakistani military.

According to reports, the Pakistani military has fired over 5,000 rockets in Kunar province during the past two years.