Renouncing violence: 70 militants lay down weapons in Dera Bugti
Fifteen commanders among the 70 militants who lay down their arms in a ceremony held in the Sui area of Dera Bugti
QUETTA:
At least 70 militants from the Bugti tribe have surrendered to the government, a spokesman for the Balochistan FC said on Sunday.
“They were following the directives of their leaders who are pursuing a ‘foreign’ agenda,” he said. The militants were given official pardon under a special package announced by the Balochistan government. “They promised never to take part in anti-state activities,” he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 29th, 2014.
At least 70 militants from the Bugti tribe have surrendered to the government, a spokesman for the Balochistan FC said on Sunday.
Fifteen commanders were among the 70 militants who laid down their arms in a ceremony held in the Sui area of Dera Bugti. “They surrendered in the presence of FC Inspector General Maj-Gen Ejaz Shahid,” he said. Tribal elders also attended the ceremony, he added.
According to the FC, all 70 militants had been involved in attacks on security forces, civilians as well as the gas pipeline in Dera Bugti.
“They were following the directives of their leaders who are pursuing a ‘foreign’ agenda,” he said. The militants were given official pardon under a special package announced by the Balochistan government. “They promised never to take part in anti-state activities,” he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 29th, 2014.