The Wardak governor's spokesman, Shahidullah Shahid, told Pajhwok Afghan News the  militants and their commander Wazir Gul joined the Afghan government with the help of tribal elders in the provincial capital city of Maidan Shahr.

He added Wazir Gul was a designated commander of Taliban insurgents in Chak district, while another deputy commander of the mobile groups of guerrillas named Gul Wazir was also among the 75 insurgents.

The fighters also brought their weapons including Kalashnikovs, machine guns and rockets with them, Shahid continued.

 Yes, I was with the Taliban, and I dont want to fight against the government and destroy my country anymore, Wazir Gul said.

Talking to a Pajhwok reporter by telephone from the central province, he said he and the other fighters who gave up their weapons had previously been fighting against the government in Chak, Jaghato, Syedabad and Nirkh districts.

He also called on his former colleagues to give up the insurgency, stop destruction of the country and join hands with Afghan government.

He said that he hoped this process of peace talks would continue.

This was the first time that such a large number of militants joined the government in the central province, only around 30 kilometres from the capital Kabul.

Taliban spokesmen did not immediately comment regarding the deal.

frm/ls