7 militants join peace process in Parwan

CHARIKAR (PAN): A seven-member group of Taliban fighters joined the peace process in the central province on Parwan on Monday, but their commander refused to surrender, an official said.

The group, which had been active in Sya Gard district of the province, also handed over seven weapons, the governor, Abdul Baseer Salangi, told Pajhwok Afghan News.

The fighters worked for Azizullah, a militant commander, who did not join the peace process, Sya Gard district chief, Abdul Haleem Mujaddidi, said.

"I feel happy after I joined the government," Noor Rahman, one of the seven fighters, said. The reason he decided to give up the insurgency was because he saw the government was working reconstruction projects in his district, he said.

The seven are the first militants to renounce violence in Parwan province, the deputy chief of provincial council, Khwaja Rohullah Siddiqui, said. He added they were also trying to convince other groups to support the government too.

frm/cas