JALALABAD, Afghanistan, Feb. 6 (Xinhua) -- Ten members of Taliban militants surrendered to the government in Afghanistan's eastern province of Nangarhar, the provincial government said on Tuesday.
"Following efforts by Afghan National Directorate of Security or NDS, a 10-member group of Taliban under Mohammad Ismahil renounced violence and joined peace and reconciliation process," it said in a statement.
NDS is the country's primary intelligence agency.
The former militants handed over five AK-47 guns, two pistols, six hand grenades and one rocket propelled grenade (RPG) launcher to the security officials.
The group vowed to back government's efforts for bringing peace and stability to the province, 120 km east of Kabul, the statement noted.
The Afghan government set up a High Peace Council and launched the peace and reconciliation process in 2010 to encourage Taliban to disarm and give up militancy against the government.
From that time, more than 10,000 Taliban militants have laid down arms and joined the process, according to peace officials.
