Local officials in Baghlan said that 14 heavily armed insurgents surrendered their weapons to the provincial Peace and Reconciliation Commission (PRC) on Thursday, seeking to join the peace process with the support of their tribal elders.

"The joining of the insurgents with the peace process conveys a positive message and it will have positive impacts on the peace process," said Baghlan Governor Sultan Muhammad Ebadi.

The Provincial Police Chief Assadullah Sherzad said that these kinds of developments have tangible, constructive implications for the peace process.

The fourteen men who surrendered on Thursday asked the Afghan government to help them find employment opportunities.

"Previously, we were fighting against the government, but now we have surrendered to the peace process and we want the government to give us jobs," said the group's commander Mullah Naeem.