Rebel group joins peace process in Herat

HERAT CITY (PAN): A 12-member rebel group joined the peace process in western Herat province, the provincial high peace committee said on Sunday.

Led by Mullah Ghullam Sarwar, told Pajhwok Afghan News.

He said the fighters voiced their support for the government. “The group officially joined the peace programme in cooperation with local people and intelligence operatives after their identities were cleared,” he said.

The provincial National Directorate of Security (NDS) in a statement said the group had been active in some villages of Pashton Zarghon and Adraskan districts.

Abdul Samad, 30, who joined the peace process, said he was recruited to Taliban ranks a year ago. “I have realised that the insurgency is no solution to the conflict, rather it destroys the country,” he said.

Sarwar said the surrendering individuals would receive aid in line with the high peace committee programme.

He said the group leader was being given 30,000 afghanis ($625.782) and 15,000 afghanis ($312.891) to each fighter.

Sarwar said the peace process in Herat had been a success, saying several others rebel groups wanted to join the peace process.

According to the committee, about 12 rebel groups comprising 120 fighters had joined the peace process over the past three months.

mm/ma