Weakening insurgency: 12 Marri militants lay down arms in Kohlu

FC Balochistan spokesman says the militants have promised to live as law-abiding citizens.

QUETTA: At least a dozen militants belonging to the Marri tribe laid down their arms and surrendered before security forces on Sunday, a spokesman for Frontier Corps (FC) Balochistan said.

“Twelve militants laid down their arms in Kohlu district in the presence of Provincial Minister for Energy and Irrigation Jangayz Marri and Commandant Mewand Rifles Masroorur Rehman,” a statement issued by FC Balochistan said. It added that all 12 of them had been involved in anti-state activities.

According to the FC Balochistan spokesman, the militants, while laying down their arms, promised not to support any anti-state elements and vowed to live a peaceful life as law-abiding citizens of Pakistan. “They thanked the Balochistan government for announcing an official pardon for those who had previously picked up arms against the state,” he said.

FC Balochistan Inspector General (IG) Maj-Gen Ejaz Shahid appreciated the militants’ decision to surrender. “The security forces will provide all those militants who lay down their arms every opportunity to lead a peaceful life,” he said. “By laying down their arms, these militants have sent a positive message to those still carrying out anti-state activities.”

The IG added that Balochistan was heading towards normalisation fast.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 2rd, 2015.