ISIS militants surrender in Kunar, opt for 'peaceful life'

KUNAR -- Thirteen members of "Islamic State of Iraq and Syria" (ISIS) surrendered to local authorities in Kunar Province last week after realising that the terrorist group is not fighting for Islam.

Fighting against the government is not a fight for Islam, Momin, leader of the group, told reporters at a ceremony marking the surrender on August 22.

"It has been three years since I was first with [ISIS]. I took part in many wars, but later on I realised that those people were fighting for money and for the benefit of foreign countries, and not for Islam," he said.

"I am choosing to live a peaceful life," he added.

"Some others are also prepared to come and to stop fighting. I am trying my best to convince those who are fighting for the benefit of others to come to peace," Momin added.

The group was active in Ghaziabad, Nurgal and Shaigal districts, Kunar Governor Abdul Sattar Mirzakwal told reporters at the ceremony.

"These 13 men led by Momin came to a peaceful life, and we welcome them... Their mentality was changed, and now they realise that the war is a war to benefit foreigners," Mirzakwal said.

"Now they can live in a peaceful environment as ordinary Afghans, and I am calling on other militants also to come and lay down their weapons," he added.

"I ask all the militants who are fighting against us to come and live in peace, but if they are not doing so and if they want to continue fighting for the benefit of others, we will not leave them alone anywhere," said Kunar Police Chief Col. Shafiqullah Sahar during the ceremony.

"Our security and defence forces are very powerful, and they are strongly standing against any enemy of this land," Sahar said.