35 renounce militancy in Herat

HERAT (PAN): Thirty-five armed rebels joined the government-initiated peace process in western Herat province on Sunday, an official said.

The individuals were active in Shindand, Pashtun Zarghoon and Oba districts, police chief, Brig. Gen. Rahmatullah Safi, told Pajhwok Afghan News.

The men shunned the insurgency as a result of efforts by the peace panel and tribal elders, he said, adding that the 15 Kalashnikovs, four machine guns, two rockets, 11 warheads and 15 landmines were surrendered to police.

But a Taliban spokesman, Qari Yousaf Ahmadi, insisted no fighter in Herat had joined the government.

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