MAZAR-I-SHARIF (PAN as a result of continued security operations, an official claimed on Wednesday.
The Taliban had lost the courage to enter face-to-face combat with security forces, 303 rd Pamir Zone police commander Gen. Baba Jan told a news conference in Mazar-i-Sharif, the provincial capital.
He said the rebels had lost a number of warriors during recent operations. Dozens of militants, including their commanders, had been killed and detained over the past four months, he added.
Jan said a key commander was among 14 fighters who joined the peace process in the Char Bolak district of the province. A Taliban-designated chief for the district was recently killed, according to the commander.
He continued the security situation on highways had improved and the peace process had been a success in the north, where so far 370 militants had surrendered.
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