Roundup: Afghan police kill 12 Taliban militants, 9 insurgents surrender

A nine-member group of armed militants gave up fighting and joined the government-backed peace process in the northeast Badakhshan province while security forces have killed 12 militants across the conflict-ridden country over the past 24 hours.

"A nine-member armed group laid down arms and joined the peace process in Toshkan district of Badakhshan province on Friday," provincial police Baba Jan told reporters Saturday.

"The group under commander Nasir Ahmad also handed over their weapons including three Kalashnikovs to police," the official said, adding he was hopeful more militants would follow suit to stabilize the security in the province.

Taliban militants who are active in parts of Badakhshan province are yet to make comment on the alleged surrender.

Meantime, Afghan national police backed by the army have raided Taliban hideouts in different provinces during operations over the past 24 hours and killed 12 armed militants.

"A total of 12 armed Taliban fighters have been killed over the past 24 hours as police in conjunction with army have conducted cleanup operations in Nangarhar, Parwan, Badakhshan, Khost, Paktiya, Paktika, Herat and Ghazni provinces," the Interior Ministry said in a statement on Saturday.

One insurgent was wounded and five others had been arrested by Afghan security forces during the operations, the statement said.

Police also seized a number of arms and ammunitions, including explosive devices during the operations.

However, it did not say if there were casualties on security personnel. Taliban militants fighting the government have not commented on it. Endi