Taliban local commander surrenders in Afghanistan's northern province

FAIZABAD, Afghanistan, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- A Taliban local commander has given up fighting and surrendered to security forces in the northern Badakhshan province, said an army statement released here Wednesday.

Commander Mawlawi Zahid, according to the statement, was involved in anti-government activities over the past couple of years and surrendered to security forces in Yaftal district on Tuesday by handing over his AK-47 assault rifle.

The statement, however, didn't provide more details.

Taliban militants who are active in parts of Badakhshan province with Faizabad as its capital, 315 km northeast of Kabul, have yet to make comments on the report.