British forces handed over formal control of their last base in Afghanistan to Afghan troops, ending combat operations in the country after 13 years which cost hundreds of lives.
At the handover ceremony at Camp Bastion, British and US troops stood side by side as the union flag and the Stars and Stripes were lowered at the base for the last time.
It brings to an end a costly chapter in the 13-year campaign, with the vast majority of the 453 troops who died in the conflict losing their lives fighting the Taliban insurgency in Helmand.
All NATO combat troops will depart Afghanistan by December, leaving Afghan troops and police to battle Taliban insurgents on their own.
The huge joint base built in the desert near the provincial capital Lashkar Gah was the most important installation for the NATO mission in Afghanistan.
Between 2010 and 2011, it housed almost 40,000 foreigners including sub-contractors.
Source Hindu and Gaurdian
