14 Taliban fighters lay down arms in northern Afghan town

A Taliban group composed of 14 fighters laid down arms and joined the government- backed peace process in Baghlan province 160 km north of Kabul on Sunday. \"These people under Qari Zafarullah were active in Jirga district over the past couple of years and with joining them to peace process the security will be further improved in Baghlan province,\" provincial police chief Assadullah Shirzad said in a ceremony to welcome the former militants. They also handed over eight pieces of assault rifles to police, he further said. Taliban militants fighting the government have yet to make comment. Around 4,000 Taliban militants have joined the government- backed peace over the past one year, a claim rejected by Taliban outfit as groundless.