30 militants lay down arms in Afghanistan

HERAT - Thirty Taliban militants laid down their arms and joined the government-initiated peace process in Afghanistan, police said Monday.

“Thirty Taliban fighters under Mullah Zamarai Akhund, who were active in Shindand district, handed in their weapons Sunday evening,” Xinhua quoted police officer Malham Khan of Herat province as saying.

Akhund also called on other Taliban fighters to give up their weapons.

A National Consultative Peace Jirga convened by government this month in Kabul called on Taliban and other anti-government militants to give up militancy and join the peace process.