PAKTYA - 17 anti-government forces from various districts of Paktika province who were involved in subversive activities joined the government backed peace and reconciliation process, said provincial officials.

A statement issued by provincial governor's office said the 17 opponents joined the government in Sharana, the capital of Paktika province. They vowed to stand by the government in the reconstruction of the country.

“We stood up to protect our country and territorial integrity, later on when we learned that we are fighting a proxy war, we cease to fire and surrendered our weapons to the provincial Peace and Reconciliation Commission”, said a member of the reconciled group.

Mohibullah Sameem, the governor of Paktika province, pledged that all kind of support would be provided to gunmen who laid down weapons.

According to officials, more than 3,000 Taliban militants, have joined the government- backed peace process over the past year.