An anti-government militant member (R front) hands over his weapon to local officials during a surrender ceremony in Shiberghan city, capital of Jawzjan province, Afghanistan, on Feb. 12, 2018. A total of 13 anti-government militants laid down arms and joined the government-backed peace process in Afghan northern Jawzjan province on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Mohammad Jan Aria)

SHIBERGHAN, Afghanistan, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- A total of 13 anti-government militants laid down arms and joined the government-backed peace process in Afghan northern Jawzjan province on Tuesday.

"A 10-member Taliban group and three insurgents affiliated with the Islamic State outfit gave up fighting and handed over their weapons to local authorities here in Shiberghan city today morning," provincial governor Lutfullah Aziz told Xinhua.

The former militants were active in Qush Tipa district over the past nearly one year, the governor said, adding the government would welcome anyone who hand in arms and join the peace process.

Neither Taliban nor Islamic State group has made comments.