MAZAR-E-SHARIF (PAN): FIfteen Taliban fighters announced their support to the government in the northwestern Badghis province on Sunday.

Commander of the regional North Zone Army Crops Syed Aqa Andrabi told a press conference in Mazar-e-Sharif that the 15 Taliban fighters led by a locally known commander Mullah Ahmad Wardak surrendered willingly to local officials in Badghis.

The Taliban squad also surrendered 12 pieces of various arms to the government in Ghormach district where they were welcomed during a ceremony, said Andrabi.

The army commander told Pajhwok Afghan News that Mullah Wardak had a team of 30 Taliban, fighting the government in Ghormach, and that the remaining half of the group will also surrender soon.

Mullah Ahmad Wardak told Pajhwok Afghan News in Ghormach that they were fighting against the government since long alongside foreign militants.

He said Chechens Arabs and Pakistanis were also their comrades in the fight against the Afghan government and that the Pakistani government was largely supporting the militants.

He added that he surrendered to the government because he realized that war would further destruct this country and that they needed to join hand with the government to rebuild the country.

A member of the provincial council in Badghis who did not wish to be named said two other Taliban commanders also surrendered this week to the government.

He said the Taliban were under huge pressure in Ghormach in recent weeks since military operation against them was going on.