KABUL - Amid Taliban desperate attempt to overrun Maimana city, the capital of northern Faryab province 425 km northwest of the national capital of Kabul city, 130 Taliban rebels renounced violence and gave up fighting in the province on Sunday, Faryab provincial governor said.
"We sincerely welcome our 130 brothers who renounced violence, handed over their weapons and joined the peace and reconciliation process today," Sayyed Anwar Saadat said in a ceremony to welcome the former militants.
"The provincial government will spare no efforts to help the former insurgents to rejoin their families and provide them jobs to have regular income," the governor added.
The surrendered militants were active in Khwaja Sabz Posh district of Faryab province over the past couple of years, the official asserted.
Governor Saadat also called upon other Taliban fighters to follow the step and give up fighting to rebuild the war-torn country.
The surrendered militants also handed over dozens of assault rifles and ammunition to police at the welcoming ceremony.
Taliban surrender is reported amid the visit of Afghan first vice president Abdul Rashid Dostum to Faryab province and launching operations against militants in Faryab's different districts.
Dostum also said Saturday that 120 Taliban fighters including three commanders had been arrested and several villages liberated in Khawaja Sabz Posh district.
Surrendering and arresting more than 200 militants in two days, according to political observers, could be a major setback to the Taliban outfit in Faryab and adjoining areas.
Meantime, Taliban militants who have challenged the government forces in several districts of Faryab province and have been attempting to overrun Faryab's provincial capital Maimana in an online statement without commenting on surrendering militants to government forces, have confirmed clash in Khawaja Sabz Posh neighboring district Khawaja Musa.
Taliban outfit in the statement claimed that the militants have destroyed a battle tank and killed six soldiers in Khawaja Musa district in the fighting, which is continuing in the district. (Xinhua)