AIBAK (Pajhwok): More than 120 militants,including two commanders, have joined the reconciliation process in the Dara-i-Sauf Payeen district of northern Samangan province,an official said on Monday.
Provincial police chief, Lt. Gen. Mohammad Baqer Masood, said 122 insurgents surrendered after security forces launched a massive counterinsurgency operation in the district.
He identified the militant commanders as Mohammad Ibrahim and Faisal,who shunned violence along with scores of its fighters in Zerkai.
Masood claimed Maqsood, Lebabi, Zerkai, Chakabi and Toqsen areas had been cleared. The areas were previously controlled by the militants.
He added some insurgents currently lived in the strategic mountainous regions ofDara-i-Jamalak, Zedori and Daikundi districts. The offensive will continue until these areas are cleared.
Meanwhile, Mohammad Baig, a provincial council member, confirmed the surrender of the two commanders and other rebels. He hailed it as a positive step that would help improve the law and order situation.
As a result of the clearing operation, he said, 35 villages having 15,000 families had been secured and purged of militants. He asked the government to execute development projects in areas.
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