Insurgency in Balochistan: 49 militants surrender

QUETTA:

Two more commanders, along with 47 militants from banned Baloch insurgent groups, laid down their arms and renounced violence on Saturday. They announced their surrender at a news conference in the presence of Balochistan Home Minister Sarfraz Bugti and PML-N’s senior leader Nawab Jangez Marri.

Speaking to journalists, the two commanders – Madina Marri and Shikari Marri – said they were affiliated with the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and United Baloch Army (UBA), the two proscribed groups blamed for several deadly attacks on security forces and sensitive installations.

Home Minister Bugti said the provincial government has announced amnesty for those militants who surrender to the authorities and give up violence. “They have decided to live their lives as law-abiding citizens,” he said. “It is a good opportunity for those who want to live a peaceful life.”

Marri and Bugti claimed that the security situation in Balochistan has worsened soon after the announcement of the Gwadar Economic Corridor Project, which is an economic game changer for the region. “Foreign elements want to destabilise Pakistan,” Bugti said. “I would request those working on the Indian agenda to review their decision and surrender before the state.”

Published in The Express Tribune, June 14^th, 2015.