Militants join peace process in north

SAR-I-PUL/ KUNDUZ CITY (PAN commanders joined the peace process along with 22 supporters in northern Sar-i-Pul province on Saturday, officials said.

The militants from Aqsu and Tarpali villages of Sayad district, led by Amruddin and Abdul Sattar, joined the reconciliation programme and surrendered 19 different types of weapons and a Walkie-talkie.

Provincial police chief, Brig. Gen. Asadullah Sherzad, told Pajhwok Afghan News the group had been involved in the insurgency for a year.

Abdul Hadi, one of the fighters, said: “We are not willing to work with Taliban anymore and want to support the government.” He asked the authorities to provide them employment and implement reconstruction projects in their areas.

Governor Sayed Anwar Rahmati promised reconstruction projects would be launched in different areas in line with residents’ needs.

In northern Kunduz province, a Taliban district chief and a commander for Dasht-i- Archi renounced the insurgency. Provincial police head, Col. Samiullah said that Ahmad Shah Muhammad Omer joined peace process along with eight fighters.

Commander Omer said he had been supporting the Taliban in Dasht-i-Archi for a year. During a recent counterinsurgency operation in the town, he escaped to Pakistan and saw the luxurious lifestyles of the rebel leaders in the neighbouring country.

Mrh/am/mud