KABUL - Taliban are trying to disrupt next year’s landmark elections but nascent Afghan security forces have the capability to thwart insurgent attacks, a NATO official said on Saturday.

Speaking exclusively to Pajhwok Afghan News, Deputy Commanding General of NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan Maj. General Dean Milner said militant activities had witnessed a surge in the past few months.

He expressed the views while inaugurating a new building for central police hospital. The intensifying militant-linked violence mostly targeted civilians, he said, hoping Afghan forces would control the attacks.

He said the Afghan forces, working in a professional way and being trained to bolster their capacity, were fighting the militants effectively to ensure security ahead of the crucial polls scheduled for April 2014.

Reports by Afghan intelligence suggested that militants were using all possible tactics to disrupt the election process, he added. “We are entering the winter fighting season.”

The general believed the Taliban were planning and staging attacks instead of just targeting high-ranking officials. The insurgents would attack political figures, election candidates and staff as well, he warned. (Pajhwok)