45 anti-government militants lay down arms in Afghanistan

Forty five anti- government militants laid down arms and resumed normal life in northern Baghlan province on Sunday, a local official, Mawlawi Sarajudin Seerat, said. "A 45-member group of militants who were involved in anti- government activities in Baghlan-e-Markazi district of Baghlan province with Pul-e-Khumri as its capital 160 km north of the capital city Kabul over the past couple of years, gave up fighting and handed over their weapons to local authorities today," Seerat told newsmen here. "With joining these people to the peace process and handing over their weapons to the government, the security will be further improved in Baghlan-e-Markazi district and adjoining areas," the official further said. Baghlan-e-Markazi has been regarded as Taliban stronghold in Baghlan province where the militants often create security and law and order problems. Taliban militants fighting the government are yet to make comment. More than 4,000 Taliban militants, according to officials, have given up fighting and joined the government-backed peace process over the past one year, a claim rejected by Taliban outfit as fabricated.