Mass surrender: Up to 24 militants lay down weapons

Individuals include three senior commanders of the outlawed Baloch Republican Army

QUETTA: Two dozen militants, including three senior commanders, of the outlawed Baloch Republican Army surrendered their weapons to the Frontier Corps in the Sui area of Dera Bugti district on Saturday.

According to official sources, BRA commanders identified as Wali Hotkani, Abdul Qadir and Imam Bakhsh handed over their weapons to the FC officials at a ceremony held in Sui town. In the presence of senior officials and a large number of tribal elders, the militants took an oath of allegiance to the Constitution.

“We honour the Constitution of Pakistan and will remain loyal to Pakistan,” said the former commander of BRA Wali Hotkani at the ceremony. Imam Bakhsh announced: “We have decided to abandon our armed struggle and join the mainstream to serve our people who have been facing great difficulties.”

Security officials said in a statement that they welcomed the decision of the BRA activists to abandon their armed struggle and join the mainstream. The officials said that the militants were involved in attacking gas installations, targeting security forces and other subversive activities.

The officials added that the government would provide security to militants who had laid down their arms. They also announced that financial assistance would be provided to the militants from the Balochistan package.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 22^nd, 2017.