16 militants join peace process in Herat

(file photo)

HERAT CITY (PAN): A group of 16 insurgents including their commander joined the government-initiated reconciliation process in western Herat province, an official said on Wednesday.   

Led by Arbab Mohammad Qasim, the group was active in the Karkh district. The ex-rebels surrendered their weapons to security officials in the Kashore area, police chief, Brig. Gen. Rahmatullah Safi, told Pajhwok Afghan News.

Security organs, peace council members and public representatives have lately stepped up contacts with the armed militants to motivate them into joining the reconciliation drive.

Qasim said discriminatory attitude of officials, insecurity and unemployment had pushed them into the insurgency. They had joined the peace process to participate in the reconstruction of the country, he concluded.

from Pajhwok
By Sharafuddin Stanikzai Mar 20, 2013 - 15:59

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35 Taliban fighters surrender in Herat (+video)

HERAT CITY (PAN): Thirty-five Taliban fighters, including a commander, joined the peace process in the western province of Herat, an official said on Sunday.

Led by Mullah Mir Ahmad, the militants surrendered late on Saturday as a result of efforts by border police, Deputy Governor Asiluddin Jami told Pajhwok Afghan News.

The men also turned in their weapons to the government, he said, adding the group had been operating in Kuhsan and Gulran districts of the province.

Regional head of High Peace Council Maulvi Ghulam Sarwar hoped the insurgents’ surrender would have a direct and positive impact on the security situation in the two districts.

Ahmad asked the central government to provide them with job opportunities.

The deputy governor said construction projects in the two districts were planned and job opportunities would be provided to residents in the near future.

On March 26, Taliban commander Obaidullah joined the peace process along with 11 associates in the Kushk-i-Kohna district of the province.

from Pajhwok
by Ahmad Quraishi

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Terror group busted in Herat (+video)

update: + video

Map of Herat Province, Afghanistan Extracted from http://www.un.org/Depts/Cartographic/map/profile/afghanis.pdf (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

HERAT CITY (PAN): A four-member group, accused of masterminding several attacks and plotting the assassination of the energy minister, was busted in western Herat province, officials said on Wednesday.

More than 243 kilograms of explosives were recovered from the suspects planning to assassinate former jihadi commanders, the governor's spokesman, Mohiuddin Noori, said.

"The suspects, residents of Herat, receive instructions from outside Afghanistan. They planned attacks during Nawroz festival," he said.

The detainees wanted to attack a gathering on the eighth death anniversary of Ismail Khan's son, Mirwais Sadiq, a former civil aviation minister.

A former governor, Sadiq was killed in Herat City during an exchange of fire between supporters of commander Zahir Nayebzada in March 2004.

A statement issued from the provincial intelligence department said the detainees were planning attacks in sensitive areas.  "The suspects have confessed to conducting several attacks," it said.



from Pajhwok
by Ahmad Quraishi

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