40 rebels renounce violence, lay down arms

QALA-I-NAW (Pajhwok): A 40-member militant group, renouncing violence, has joined the peace process in western Badghis province, the provincial council head said on Thursday.

Abdul Khalil said the group, which had been active in Jwand district for the last 10 years, joined the peace process and surrendered 40 different types of weapons to the authorities.

Mullah Ghulam Nabi, commander of the group, said: “After fighting for years, we came to the conclusion that war is in no one’s interest. Fighting will lead the country and people to more problems.”

He demanded the government recruit them into the Afghan Local Police (ALP) force and thereby enable them to serve the country. Khalil pledged he would talk to the officials concerned to recruit the group.

qs/rm/mud