Four French soldiers killed by burka-wearing bomber The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack in the Nijrab district of the province, saying in an email message that a suicide attacker had struck the foreign soldiers. Violence has surged across Afghanistan in recent weeks, with the Taliban vowing to target the Western-backed Afghan government and security forces, as well as the 130,000 foreign troops in the country, most of whom are due to leave by the end of 2014. France plans to withdraw most of its roughly 3,400 troops by the end of this year, two years ahead of the timetable agreed by Nato. French troops have suffered a series of attacks including several by rogue Afghan soldiers, triggering demands in France for their troops to be brought home early. Last month Mr Hollande, during a visit to the volatile province, defended the decision to pull out early, saying the job of fighting terrorism was nearly done, and France would focus on co-operating on the civilian front. France's decision has raised concerns that other members of the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) coalition may follow its example and accelerate their withdrawal plans, handing security prematurely to fledgling Afghan forces. Kapisa is one of the provinces scheduled to be handed over to Afghan forces in the current third phase of transition before 2014.