KABUL - Scores of armed men related to Zahir Qadir, the Deputy Speaker of Wolesi Jirga (Lower House of Parliament), on Saturday joined public uprising groups in eastern Nangarhar province.

Security officials in eastern Nangarhar province said that the armed men will cooperate with Afghan security forces in the fight against militants in Nazian and Achin districts in the province.

Nangarhar Police Chief Fazel Ahmad Sherzad said that he appreciates Qadir, because hundreds of his people, under the framework of public uprising, are fighting alongside Afghan security forces and are playing an important role in ensuring security of the province.

"These people have their own weapons, but we will see if they need anything, so that we provide for them," said General Dad Muhammad Harifi, Nangarhar National Security Director.

Meanwhile, members of the High Peace Council (HPC) and tribal elders lent their support to Afghan troops and public uprising forces.

Malek Nazir, a member of the peace council of Nangarhar, urged government not to prosecute these armed men, because they were fighting to ensure security of Nangarhar and killings and beheadings are part of war.

The public uprising members vowed that they will fight till the last drop of their blood to defend their country.

These armed men joined public uprising groups at a time that Daesh militants have intensified their activities in Nangarhar, particularly Nazian district. (Tolonews)