QALA-E-NAW, Afghanistan, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- A total of 50 militants including Taliban key commander Mullah Toofan have surrendered to local authorities in the western Badghis province on Sunday, police spokesman Naqibullah Amini said.

"A total of 50 Taliban insurgents under Taliban key commander Mullah Toofan laid down arms and surrendered to local authorities in Qadis district today morning," Amini told Xinhua.

Mullah Toofan, according to the official, was commanding 300 armed fighters in Qadis district over the past few years and his surrender to government would prove a major setback to the Taliban outfit in Badghis and adjoining areas.

The surrendered commander Toofan and his men would soon come to provincial capital Qala-e-Naw to talk to media, the official said.

Taliban militants are yet to make comment.