KABUL, May 16 (Xinhua) -- A total of 12 militants loyal to the Islamic State (IS) group have given up fighting and joined a government-initiated peace process, local media reported on Tuesday.
The former IS militants, who had been active in anti-government activities in Achin, Haska Mina and Kot districts in the past, joined the peace process on Tuesday and handed over their weapons to the local authorities, according to the Tolo television channel.
This is the first time that militants loyal to IS have given up fighting and joined the peace process in Afghanistan.
The former IS fighters also called upon the government to protect their lives and provide job opportunities to them.
The IS outfit which has been fighting against the government in parts of the eastern Nangarhar province over the past more than two years, are yet to make comments on the report.
