U.S. troops fighting in Afghanistan. (Wikimedia Commons)

Afghanistan fired hundreds of troops during an investigation into insider attacks, according to CNN.

"Hundreds were sacked or detained after showing links with insurgents.  In some cases we had evidence against them, in others we were simply suspicious," said Afghan Defense Ministry spokesman Zahir Azimi, according to the Washington Post.

It follows an escalating amount of attacks on NATO troops by people dressed as Afghan police and soldiers.

The U.S. Army announced that 35 such attacks killed 45 people this year.

Afghanistan started investigating, along with international forces, and the U.S. Special Operations have suspended the training of Afghani recruits while they do double background checks.

CNN reported that an army spokesman said that since the first known attack in 2007, 114 people have been killed in 76 attacks.

According to the Washington Post, the insider attacks have created a major rift and distrust between foreign troops and Afghan forces, and creates a challenge for the United States as it begins to reduce its combat role.

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