At least 70 militants, including commander, surrender in Balochistan

QUETTA: m zAt least 70 militants and a commander of a banned organisation surrendered to the government on Tuesday.

The militants and the commander, Marri, from the proscribed Balochistan Republican Army surrendered during a ceremony held in the provincial capital.



The ceremony was attended by Nawab Changez Marri, Senator Sarfaraz Bugti, Senator Anwarul Haq Kakar and Brigadier Tasawwur.

During the surrender ceremony, the militant commander lamented that the group's leader lived out of the country and instructed youth in Balochistan to rebel against the state. He requested other militants to lay down their arms and work for the development of the country and also thanked the government for allowing them to rejoin society.

As part of the ongoing political reconciliation in Balochistan, 265 anti-state militants laid down arms for the betterment and progress of the country on September 18.

In August 2017, 12 militants from the Baloch Republican Party (BRA) surrendered themselves to security forces in Noshki area of the province.



The reconciliation process started under the National Action Plan (NAP) against terrorism and has borne fruitful results in the restive province, officials say. Militants who give up violence have been offered cash support and jobs to help them lead a violence-free life.