The negotiations are being conducted by a senior government official, Abdul Rehman Hotak, on the authority of provincial governor Hafizullah, the Pakistan-based private news service said.

Hotak represented his province in the Loya Jirga or traditional tribal assembly held in Kabul last year to endorse Karzai's presidency.

The report came as Afghan forces supported by US troops and aircraft were engaged in a major operation against suspected Taliban and al-Qaeda bases in the mountains of Daychopan district of Zabul province, 300km southwest of Kabul.

At least 13 suspected Taliban were killed in separate fighting in Zabul province over the weekend, Afghan officials said Sunday amid reports that hundreds of Taliban fighters have converged on the mountains of Zabul.

"We have started negotiations because the Karzai government believes in resolving problems through peaceful dialogue," Hotak was quoted as telling the AIP.

Hotak said he recently visited Atghar district in Zabul, scene of recent clashes, to establish contacts with Taliban officials.

Describing the talks as "positive", he said the Taliban in Atghar promised that "in case of a successful dialogue they would not take any step against the government."

"The Taliban are demanding guarantees that they would not be harmed. They are also seeking assurances that they would not be harassed by the coalition forces," he said.

Similar negotiations for a peaceful settlement in Zabul were also underway in other provincial districts of Shenkay, Syori and Naubahar, he said.

Zabul's security chief Khalilullah confirmed the report to AIP. "We want an end of fighting in Zabul so that the people could live in peace."

Khalilullah said he would ask the Taliban to drop a fatwa calling for Jihad, and that if the request was accepted the government forces were prepared to offer an amnesty.