Four militant commanders surrender in Balochistan

Syed Ali Shah Published August 17, 2015

QUETTA: Four commanders of a proscribed organisation laid down their weapons and surrendered to authorities in Quetta today.

The surrender took place in the presence of Home Minister Balochistan Mir Sarfaraz Bugti.

“Militants surrendering before the law would be compensated and respected,” said Bugti.

Read: 400 militants in Balochistan lay down weapons on Independence Day

“We were trained in Afghanistan’s Nimruz province to carry out subversive activities in Pakistan,” said Abdul Sattar, a militant commander who surrendered.

“We have also informed the federal government of training camps operating across the border, and their role in training militants,” added Bugti.

Bugti also said that the present government is determined to ensure peace in the province.

On Friday, around 400 militants laid down their weapons before authorities in Quetta during a ceremony to celebrate Pakistan's Independence Day.

The government also announced amnesty for the militants adopting peaceful lives and they will be integrated in Balochistan.

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.

Also read: Another 59 Baloch militants surrender

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

Pakistan

Syed Ali Shah is DawnNews' Quetta bureau chief.

He tweets @alishahjourno

CM Bugti, WB official discuss uplift cooperation

Balochistan opposition parties back Nov 19 strike

Balochistan Assembly seeks compulsory Arabic in primary schools

Hamaad

Aug 17, 2015 07:34pm

Heartening to see efforts are bearing some fruit. Authorities need to provide employment and means of income to those surrendering their weapons for the sake sustained peace.

Recommend 0

Freeman

Aug 17, 2015 07:43pm

"Baloch separatists demanding more autonomy and control over gas and mineral resources" If this is the issue then they are 100% right in their demand and must not be called separatists. In all over the democratic provinces and states have major stakes in their natural resources.

Recommend 0

Sarwat

Aug 17, 2015 08:00pm

Good to see that these commanders are finally realising that they had been fooled by the feudal landlords for their personal gains and were supported by RAW.

Recommend 0

A Z I

Aug 17, 2015 08:06pm

Good news coming from Baluchistan. All out and honest efforts should be made by Central and Provincial Governments to satisfy the demands of Baloch people, esp in regard to the ownership of mineral resources. More development funds should be allocated to this province in view of its size. This will contribute in alleviating the sense of deprivation of the people. If there is peace and prosperity in Baluchistan it is the peace and prosperity of all the people of Pakistan as well.

Recommend 0

EuroStar77

Aug 17, 2015 08:19pm

Another RAW operation eats the dust.

Recommend 0

Akram

Aug 17, 2015 08:52pm

we must give commendation to the Balochistan government for yet another group giving up arms. They need to carry this on and bring the baloch insurgency to a halt. Their energies should then be spent cleaning up the province and developing it economically.

Recommend 0

Sense

Aug 17, 2015 09:28pm

@Freeman all the provinces have 100%control over their resources after the 18th amendment ,by the way Sindh province is producing 70% of oil and gas and 90% of coal reserves are in Sindh,this insurgency is foreign inspired

Recommend 0

Nisar

Aug 17, 2015 09:31pm

Balochistan is not just walking, but running towards peace. Great effort. With the Taliban influence growing in Afghanistan, RAW is finding it hard to operate anti Pakistan groups in Afghanistan. They can have all the consulates they want, but the Pashtuns in Afghanistan will never allow them to be used. All these pics of Afghans burning Pak flags and anti Pak statements are Tajiks/Uzbeks/Persioan speakers. Majority of Pashto speakers are local to Pak, as they have grown up in Pak.

Recommend 0

Shah

Aug 17, 2015 09:53pm

I was born and raised in Quetta and I had Baluch friends. There was no hate. Mir Sarfraz Bugati the true patriotic son of Pakistan, you are doing a great service to the People of Baluchistan. We love you.

Recommend 0

xenia

Aug 17, 2015 11:07pm

@Shah Yes He deserves respect and recognition from all the corners of Pakistan

Recommend 0

Mumtaz Baig

Aug 17, 2015 11:13pm

@Freeman What is mine is mine and what is yours is yours. Provinces can trade surplus and the resources can not be divided between provinces on the basis of population superiority. It is common practices even among brothers that whoever earns belongs to them and it is not divided between families that which brother have how many children. Let us see if Punjab can compete on that.

Recommend 0

Salman Kureishi

Aug 18, 2015 12:50am

Great news for Baluchistan. Bad news for RAW!

Recommend 0

awan

Aug 18, 2015 05:11am

Well done pak. Army and Premier of Balochistan.you are doing very good job.I would also give credit to Nawaz sharif who declared amnesty for all brain washed tribesmen. we should also work for them and their families to make their lives better and comfortable.

Recommend 0