Taliban commander surrenders to Afghan gov't: media

A Taliban commander Mullah Abdul Salam has laid down arms and surrendered to the government in Afghanistan's northwest Badghis province, a local newspaper said Tuesday.

"Mullah Abdul Salam along with one of his comrade surrendered to the government and handed over two pieces of weapons," daily 8 Subh reported in its edition.

Quoting the police chief of the province Syed Ahmad Sami, the newspaper said that mediation of elders had played a significant role in convincing Mullah Salam to lay down arms.

Taliban militants have yet to make any comment.