KABUL (Pajhwok): Taliban-linked violence may escalate following the end ofa three-day Eid ceasefire, believes the top US general in Afghanistan. Theywere keeping an eye on Taliban’s activities following the ceasefire thatended, said Gen. Scott Miller, the US military commander in Afghanistan.

In an interview, the US general said he expected the militant movement tostep up violence after the Eid festival. Miller told the BBC: “Ideally,they would continue with the reduced violence because it is something thatthe Afghan people want.” The commander added; “But the expectation is thatthey (the Taliban) will pick up violence in the nearer term.”

Gen. Miller opined the insurgents would try to mount pressure on differentprovincial capitals. He said it was the time for the Afghan security forcesto show their strength. Even during their withdrawal from the country,coalition troops were still lending a helping hand to the Afghan securityforces, he explained.

The US commander said: “Even as we’re retrograding, we are certainly tryingto put them (Afghan forces) in the best possible posture that we are ableto. Gen. Miller added the Afghan forces were capable of keeping the Talibanat bay.

“They have to hold,” the general continued. About the US mission inAfghanistan, he claimed there were some victories along the way. “But Ithink history will judge this and the future will tell the rest of thestory.”