13 Taliban killed, 30 surrender in Afghanistan

Kabul, Sep 15 (IANS) At least 13 Taliban militants were killed in operations launched by the army and police in Afghanistan while 30 militants led by their commander, Mullah Sohbaat, joined the peace process, officials said Saturday.

In the eastern province of Ghazni, seven militants were killed, and in neighbouring Paktika province, six militants were gunned down in a search operation, army spokesman Mohammad Nazar Sultani told Xinhua.

A Taliban leader named Omari was among the dead in Paktika, police said.

A roadside bomb went off in Wardoj district of Badakhshan province Saturday, which killed a policeman and injured seven others, police said.

At least six civilians were killed in Paktika province's Khoshamand district when a bomb planted on the roadside hit their vehicle.

Meanwhile, up to 30 Taliban militants surrendered to the government in Badakhshan province, 315 km northeast of Kabul, a government spokesman said.

Led by their commander Mullah Sohbaat, the Taliban renounced violence and joined the peace and reconciliation process in Shahri Buzurg district Saturday.

The militants also handed over 30 AK-47 rifles to security officials.

Reports said more than 3,500 insurgents have laid down arms in Afghanistan in the past year.