400 militants in Balochistan lay down arms on Independence Day

QUETTA: Over 400 militants from various areas of Balochistan laid down their weapons and vowed to shun violence in a ceremony on the 69th Independence Day of Pakistan here on Friday.

The ceremony was held at the Quetta Police Lines with Commander Southern Command, Lt-Gen Nasir Janjua attending as the chief guest. Balochistan Home Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti, IGP Muhammad Amlish and other officials were also present on the occasion.

The militants, who surrendered before the officials, vowed to shun violence and not to fight against the Pakistani state in the future.

Speaking on the occasion, Lt-Gen Janjua said, those who laid down their weapons today have surrendered not before the officials but to their good thoughts and intentions.