Peshawar: Thirteen Taliban militants,
including four key commanders, have surrendered to security
forces in the restive Bajaur tribal region of northwest
Pakistan, officials said on Thursday.
The militants surrendered to a jirga or tribal council
at Charmang valley in Bajaur Agency bordering Afghanistan
yesterday.
The militants handed over some heavy weaponry during a
ceremony attended by top military and political officials.
The militants who surrendered were wanted by security
forces for various crimes. Their surrender was facilitated by
the efforts of tribal elders, officials said.
Col Muhammad Arshad, the commander of anti-militancy
operations in the area, told the media that Charmang valley
has almost been cleared of militants and those remaining have
no option but to surrender.
The security forces had launched an effective
operation in the area, where the situation is returning to
normal.
No untoward incidents had been reported for many days
and about 1,500 militants have surrendered in Bajaur Agency
during the past year, he said.
In a separate development, security forces seized a
cache of arms and ammunition during a search operation in
Charmang area.
In yet another development, militants kidnapped a
tribesman for allegedly spying for the government in Orakzai
Agency.
PTI
