ISLAMABAD, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- As many as 200 militants of banned organizations, including 15 commanders, have laid down arms and surrendered to the government in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province on Thursday, local media reported.
According to an official statement, the militants announced submitting to the writ of the state and becoming part of the national mainstream.
The insurgents surrendered in a ceremony held at paramilitary frontier corps Headquarters in Turbat, a city in Balochistan province.
The ceremony was attended by Chief Minister Balochistan Abdul Qudus Bizenjo and Commander Southern Command Lt. Gen. Asim Saleem Bajwa, said Dawn News, adding that waving Pakistani flags, the militants came on stage to surrender arms where Balochistan chief minister also distributed cash and laptops among them.
On Dec. 9, over 300 militants and 17 of their commanders of banned organizations had surrendered to the government and security forces.
Until now, 2,100 insurgents have given up arms in the province since the reconciliation process was initiated by former chief minister Abdul Malik Baloch years ago, said officials.
