Updated

An Associated Press tally shows that in 2013, the U.S.-led international forces in Afghanistan suffered the lowest number of casualties in the past six years.

At the same time, casualties among Afghan troops rose significantly as they took the lead in the 12-year war against the Taliban.

The figures underline the dangers this nation still faces as the NATO-led mission nears its end chapter in Afghanistan in 2014.

According to the AP tally, NATO casualties fell to 151 in 2013, down from 394 a year earlier.

However, foreign troops are still targeted by insurgents. Just last week, a suicide bomber struck a convoy in the capital, Kabul, killing three NATO troops, including one American.

Casualties among the Afghan army and police rose to 2,767, up from 1,870 the year before.