Two Taliban groups surrender

Two groups of Taliban militants laid down their weapons in Baghlan province on Tuesday and surrendered to Afghan government, provincial officials said.

"A total of 20 Taliban militants laid down their weapons and joined the Afghan government," Abdul Rahman Rahimi, police chief of Baghlan told reporters.

The men were active in Baghlan-e-Jadid district fighting against the government, but have now renounced violence and promised to work for peace, he added.

Mr Rahimi said the security will be further strengthened in the province as more militants embrace the peace process.

These are the first groups of insurgents to have surrendered since the beginning of the Afghan new year.

Baghlan was one of the insecure provinces in the north of Afghanistan, but it was cleared of insurgents after heavy operations by Afghan and foreign forces.