KABUL, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Commander of NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan General Dan Mc Neill on Wednesday predicted an upsurge in militant attacks in Afghanistan in 2008.

    "What do we expect to see insurgents do this year, I think they would stay on IEDs (improvised explosive devices), and they will increase the number of suicide bombers," the commander told newsmen at his first press conference this year.

    He made the remarks as Afghanistan witnessed in 2007 the bloodiest period since the collapse of Taliban regime by a U.S.-led military invasion six years ago.

    More than 6,000 people including militants, Afghan and NATO troops as well as civilians and aid workers, had been killed in conflicts and militancy-related violence last year.

    The 61-year old commander of the multinational force stressed the importance of boosting Afghan national security forces, adding that "if there are not improvement in Afghanistan National Police and their ability, they the militants would continue their attacks this year."

    The U.S. general commanding ISAF troops in fighting insurgents in Afghanistan expressed the hope that Afghan national army and police would grow further in 2008 to play effective roles in stabilizing security in the war-torn country.

    Mc Neill also expressed concern over increasing poppy cultivation in the country, saying, "I expect to see another year of exploding growing poppy this year".

    "It concerns me greatly because it is poison to the people particularly to children," he said.

    He further noted that his troops had no direct assignment to fight the menace.

    "We are not eradicating force," he said.

    The general also said his troops would continue to mount pressure on militants this year but did not give details.

    However, he said that by acquiring new technology and devices, the troops would check terrorist attacks including suicide attacks.

    "We expect to increase our success this year," the commander maintained.