• Sarfraz Bungulzai urges people to give their children ‘education, not guns’
• Claims BRAS had ‘taken responsibility’ for army chopper mishap at India’s urging, says New Delhi funding groups to destabilise Balochistan
• PM welcomes ‘mainstreaming’ of banned organisation

QUETTA: Sarfraz Ahmed Bungulzai, a ‘commander’ of the banned militant group Baloch National Army (BNA), announced his surrender on Wednesday alongside 70 of his associates.

Sarfraz Bungulzai, flanked by provincial information minister Jan Achakzai, told a presser in Quetta that he initially thought his armed struggle was for Baloch rights, but then realised the Baloch blood was being spilled for “individual interests”.

“India is involved in all these conspiracies… Keeping in mind all this, we have deci­ded to join the national mainstream. I and 70 of my associates have joined the national mainstream,” he said, adding that more militants were ready to abandon armed struggle and join the mainstream.

He claimed that India was supporting and funding different groups to destabilise Balochistan and killing innocent people. He also disclosed that the banned organisations running resistance moments were involved in the drug business, kidnapping for ransom and extortion.

In 2014, he said, 155 innocent Baloch were killed in Awaran after they refused to pay extortion money. He said that thousands of Baloch had been killed over the past 20 years. “These people are only working on foreign agendas,” he said.

“They are also using even Baloch women and other innocent people against the state and fulfilling their nefarious designs,” he said, adding that now they were brainwashing the youth for using them to conduct suicide attacks.

Referring to last year’s helicopter crash in which six Pak­istan army officials, including a general, were martyred, he said that it had occurred due to a technical issue, but the Baloch Raji Ajoi Sangar (BRAS) had taken responsibility on India’s command.

He urged the youth to follow suit and renounce violence. “My advice to parents is to give your children education, not guns,” he said.

He said that after the arrest of BNA commander Gulzar Imam alias Shambay, he had taken charge of the banned outfit, which was operating in Bolan, Mastung and other areas.

He said that his differences with Gulzar Imam Shambay and others were on the use of Baloch women in the movement.

Gulzar, said to be the foun­der of the BNA, was arrested during an intelligence-based operation in the Prom area of Balochistan’s Panjgur district earlier this year.

When asked if he might have killed several people during BNA’s militant attacks in different areas of Balochistan, Bungulzai said, “Yes, many people had been killed in these attacks.” He added, “I feel shame and embarrassment. I apologise and want a pardon from the families who suffered during the last 15 years due to attacks.”

To another question, he claimed that there was no difference between the previous Afghan government and the Taliban regime. “Ashraf Ghani’s government and Taliban’s interim government were supporting separate outfits and providing them hideouts and extending other help,” he said, claiming that BLA chief Bashir Zeb was in Afghanistan along with other people.

Speaking on the occasion, Balochistan Information Min­is­ter Jan Achakzai said the commanders and militants of these banned organisations had realised that they were just shedding the blood of their own bro­thers and therefore were joining the mainstream now.

“The doors are opened for these militants who wanted to join the mainstream through negotiations,” Mr Achakzai said, adding that Pakistan’s progress and prosperity were linked with Balochistan.

‘Peace, stability top priority’

Commenting on Wednes­day’s development, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar said “peace and stability” was the government’s top priority.

“The surrender of Sarfraz Bungulzai alias Mureed Baloch (the head of BNA) along with his companions/families is a very welcome development for Pakistan and Balochistan,” he said in a post on X (formerly Twitter). He noted that this had come after another major re-integration initiative, in which Shambay was arrested and “mainstreamed”.

“Embracing peace through inclusivity, our state and institutions are championing an accommodative approach, actively working to reintegrate estranged militants.

“This strategic move seeks lasting peace, fostering understanding, and rebuilding communities. Together, we pave the way for a harmonious and secure future for our next generations,” the premier said.

He also appreciated the efforts of the country’s law enforcers and intelligence agencies, specifically the ISI, which “planned, executed and led this complicated clandestine operation”.

Published in Dawn, December 21st, 2023