FAIZABAD, Afghanistan, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- A Taliban commander along with five of his fighters gave up fighting and joined the government-backed peace process in Darayem district of the northern Badakhshan province on Sunday, provincial government spokesman Nik Mohammad Nazari said Monday.

"A Taliban group commander Mawlawi Abdul Haq who served as military chief for Darayem district along with five of his fighters gave up fighting and joined the peace process in a ceremony held in provincial capital Faizabad yesterday," Nazari told Xinhua.

Speaking at the ceremony, provincial governor Faisal Begzad welcomed the commander and called upon other militants to follow suit and give up fighting to boost the national reconciliation in the country.

Taliban militants are yet to make comments.