A seven-member group of armed militants gave up fighting and surrendered to government in the northern Saripul province with Saripul city as its capital 350 km north of Kabul on Tuesday.

"A total of seven armed rebels under Mullah Merajudin gave up fighting and handed over their weapons to police here today," provincial governor Mohammad Zahir Wahdat told reporters here.

The former militants were involved in anti-government activities in several villages outside provincial capital over the past couple of years and their surrender to government would help improve security situation in Saripul city and adjoining areas, the governor said.

Taliban militants who are active in conducting anti-government operations in parts of Saripul province are yet to make comment.

Source : XINHUA