116 rebels join peace process in Badghis

QALA-I-NAW (PAN fighters, including 11 commanders, surrendered their weapons and joined the peace process in the northern province of Badghis on Monday, an official said.

Eight-eight militants and nine commanders shunned the militancy in Qadis district, deputy intelligence department head, Col. Abu Bakar, told Pajhwok Afghan News.

Intelligence operatives and police convinced the rebels to renounce violence, he said, adding the insurgents were active in Ghaib Ali Dasht, Shorab Payeen and Bala, Qala Charkh and Haji Nazar villages.

He identified the surrendering commanders as Zia, Gulab, Abdul Karim, Abdul Samad, Rahmatullah, Reza, Zahir, Abdul and Abdul Aziz. They turned in 84 weapons to the authorities, the intelligence officer said.

“Having given up the insurgency, I’ll no longer cooperate with the Taliban,” Commander Abdul Karim promised, urging the government to provide them jobs in the police force.

Provincial police chief, Col. Mohammad Jabbar Saleh, said 28 fighters loyal to Commander Abdul Khalil had also joined the peace process, surrendering 27 weapons to the government. According to officials, as many as 584 Taliban have joined the peace drive in Badghis since March 21.

frm/mud

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