Rebel groups surrender in Nuristan, Baghlan

JALALABAD/PUL-I-KHUMRI (Pajhwok): Two insurgent groups renounced violence and joined the government-initiated peace process in Nuristan and Baghlan provinces, officials said on Thursday.

Nuristan’s acting Governor Hafiz Abdul Qayyum told Pajhwok Afghan News a Taliban’s commander Ahmad had joined the peace process along with his nearly a dozen fighters in the Bargi Matal district.

He hoped the surrender would help improve the law and order situation in the province because the group had been involved in various insurgent activities in the town.

Mohammad Ayub Hussainkhel, the 201^st border zone police commander, claimed they had been persuading the 12-member group to reconcile with the government. He said the group had surrendered their arms and ammunitions to security forces.

Another 10-member rebel group, including its commander Nooruddin, had joined the peace process in Baghlan.

Mualvi Sirajuddin Serat, the provincial peace committee secretary, said the illegal armed group had been active in Jalgi district.

The peace committee’s director, Abdul Samad Stanikzai, said so far more than 1,200 insurgents had renounced violence and joined the peace process in Baghlan since 2011. Most of them have been provided with job opportunities, he added.

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