Local officials claim that two groups of fighters—one “Daesh” and the other Taliban--have surrendered to Afghan government forces in Nangarhar.

18 male and 19 female “Daesh members,” and six members of the Taliban, were among those who surrendered, said Shah Mahmoud Miakhel, the governor of Nangarhar province.

“Six Taliban members surrendered along with 18 (male) Daesh members, most of whom were Afghans. Three of these fighters were foreign nationals.  And 19 women were also foreigners. One of the women is from Punjab. There are 35 children with them,” said Miakhel.

Meanwhile, Nazar Ali Wahidi, commander of the National Directorate of Security (NDS) in Nangarhar, said that the surrender comes amid a surge of ground and air operations against the militants.

“Our operations and air raids forced them to evacuate Pachiragam, Tangi Chapar, Tanga Wazir, Tanga Sulaimankhel, Bagh Dara, and Momand,” he said.

Neither the Taliban nor Daesh have commented.