15 Taliban militants give up resistance in NW Afghanistan

Over a dozen armed Taliban insurgents laid down arms and resumed normal life in the northwest Badghis province on Tuesday, spokesman for provincial administration Hajji Sharafudin Majidi said.

"Taliban local commander Mullah Akhtar along with 14 of his armed men handed over their arms to authorities in Muqar district this morning and resumed normal life in community," Majidi told Xinhua.

With joining commander Akhtar to community the peace process would be accelerated and government control will be further strengthened in Muqar and adjoining areas, the official said.

Taliban militants have yet to make comment.

Afghan government has been calling on Taliban militants and other armed oppostion groups to lay down arms and join the government-initiated national reconciliation program.

Source: Xinhua