QUETTA: More than two dozen 'militants' laid down their weapons in Balochistan's Noshki district on Monday as part of the present government's reconciliation policy.

A security official who declined to be named since he was not authorised to speak to the media told DawnNews that all the 'militants' belonged to banned outfits.

"Most of them belonged to the banned Baloch Republican Army (BRA)," he said, adding that the 'militants' had targeted security personnel and vital national installations for a long time.

The suspected militants, who laid down their weapons announced their intent to rejoin society and live peaceful lives while assuring officials that they would work for development and prosperity of the country. They handed their weapons over to Frontier Corps personnel and other officers at a ceremony held in Noshki.

Three suspected militants arrested in Gawadar

Security forces on Monday arrested three suspected militants from Gawadar. Acting on intelligence information, a raid was conducted by security forces which led to the arrests.

"The terrorists were involved in grenade attacks and target killings in the city of Gawadar," confirmed an official from the Frontier Corps (FC).

On August 14, 2015, 400 militants laid down their weapons during a ceremony to celebrate Pakistan's Independence Day.

The government of Balochistan had announced a reconciliation policy earlier this year to pave the way for solutions on issues relating to the province which has been under the grip of violence for over a decade.

Pakistan's largest province — which borders Iran and Afghanistan — is riven by sectarian strife and Islamist violence.

Its roughly seven million inhabitants have long complained they do not receive a fair share of its gas and mineral wealth.

Baloch separatists demanding more autonomy and control over gas and mineral resources have frequently targeted security forces and police for years.

Also read: 400 militants in Balochistan lay down weapons on Independence Day