MAZAR-I-SHARIF (Afghanistan), July 23: Nato troops on Saturday handed control of Afghanistan's northern capital Mazar-i-Sharif to local forces amid rising security fears just days after it was hit by a deadly bombing.

Mazar-i-Sharif is the sixth of seven areas to transition to Afghan control, but critics say the timetable is politi-cally motivated and scepticism is running high over Afghan abilities to ward off a trenchant Taliban insurgency.

Underscoring the threat, a suicide bomber killed four people in the city on Wednesday, in an attack that the provincial police chief said was carried out “to create chaos and disrupt the transition of security”.

Until recently considered one of the safest Afghan cities, Mazar-i-Sharif was thrown into turmoil in April when demonstrators, protesting against a United States pastor, attacked a UN compound and killed seven foreign staff.

The killings raised fears that plans were being rushed for Afghans to take control of security from German troops, who lead coalition efforts in the city.

A handover ceremony was held at the Afghan army's headquarters, attended by cabinet ministers and the German ambassador, with a Nato flag lowered and an Afghan flag raised after local soldiers sung the national anthem.

Balkh provincial governor Atta Mohammad Noor urged more help from Nato in supporting the city's reconstruction.

Provincial police spokesman Shir Jan Durani on Wednesday assured media that the police were fully in charge of the city in the wake of the suicide bombing, but said there were concerns over security in volatile surrounding districts.

“There are not sufficient numbers of security forces to foil any major attempt by the enemy,” he admitted, pressing the national government and Nato to provide more equipment for fledgling forces.

Violence is at a record high in the insurgency against the Western-backed government, and transition comes as 150,000 Nato-led troops begin a gradual withdrawal designed to recall all foreign combat troops by the end of 2014.

University student Mohammad Azim said the absence of international forces would bring greater insecurity for Mazar-i-Sharif.

“Last week's suicide attack proved that the enemy are still present here and can strike. I am concerned,” he said.

Local shopkeeper Ahmad Fahim said he was happy to see his own national forces taking responsibility but he warned of the challenges ahead.

“We hope that the Nato forces continue to support them, because I think Afghan forces are not yet quite ready to ensure good security for us,” he said.—AFP