Hakimullah Mehsud’s brother and uncle among those who laid down their arms

PESHAWAR: Former Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan chief Hakimullah Mehsud’s brother and uncle were among six key members of the militant group have surrendered near the Afghan border in Kurram Agency, according to security officials. Ejaz Mehsud and Khair Muhammad Mehsud, uncle of Hakimullah, surrendered to authorities late on Saturday, an official told.

Both surrendered at Lower Kurram’s Shaheedanu Dand, one of the three crossing points between Kurram and Afghanistan.  However, the official refused to comment on whether the two crossed into Pakistan from Afghanistan or had been hiding on the Pakistani side. Sources said at least four TTP commanders also surrendered to the authorities and there was a possibility that more Taliban could surrender in a couple of days. All those surrendered have been shifted to the security forces fort in the Tull area, another source said.

Some sources say Hakeemullah’s relatives may have entered Pakistan as the authorities opened the crossing with Afghanistan on Saturday after days of clashes at the Torkham border. The TTP has not yet commented on the development.