45 militants surrender in Afghanistan

Kabul – Forty-five militants surrendered Sunday in Baghlan province, seeking to resume normal life, in Afghanistan, an official said.

“A 45-member group of militants who were involved in anti-government activities in Baghlan-e-Markazi district of Baghlan province over the past couple of years, gave up fighting and handed over their weapons to local authorities,” Xinhua quoted Mawlawi Sarajudin Seerat, an official, as saying.

“With these people joining the peace process and handing over their weapons to the government, the security will be further improved in Baghlan-e-Markazi district and adjoining areas,” the official added.

Baghlan-e-Markazi has been regarded as Taliban stronghold in Baghlan province, where the militants often create security, and law and order problems. Baghlan provincial capital Pul-e-Khumri is 160 km north of the capital city Kabul.

More than 4,000 Taliban militants have given up fighting and joined the government-backed peace process during the past year, according to officials.