18-member Taliban group reconciles in Nangarhar

JALALABAD (Pajhwok): An 18-member Taliban group, including their commander, joined the peace process in eastern Nangarhar province, an official said on Wednesday.

The reconciling militants had been active against the government in Torghar locality of Khogyani district.

Governor Hayatullah Hayat welcomed the former rebels at a special ceremony in their honor.

He announced the group, led by Mohammad Hassan aka Zubair, joined the peace process --- the first group joining the government after the bilateral ceasefire.

He said the 18-member Taliban group joined the peace process thanks to hectic efforts of National Directorate of Security (NDS) personnel. The Taliban also turned in their 18 weapons to NDS officials.

Commander Hassan said after the two sides announced truce, they visited the provincial city, Jalalabad, where they were welcomed by government officials and people.

The Imam against the war in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan ulema have also called the ongoing war in Afghanistan as against Islam.

Malik Aslam, who started war against the government in compliance with a fatwa of his village’s imam, but when he visited the city, he found mosques and seminaries and thus joined the peace process.

pk/ma