LAHORE - In a major development, the son of a former Balochistan Governor and brother of a ex-Chief Minister has expressed his willingness to surrender to the military authorities provided he is given firm assurance that he will be cleared of involvement in anti-State activities.
Javed Mengal who is heading one of the key Baloch militant outfit, Lashkar-e-Balochistan, is the son of former Balochistan Governor, Nawab Attaullah Mengal and brother of ex-Chief Minister Akhtar Mengal.
Other key Baloch militant leaders currently in self-exile in London and Switzerland also want solid indemnity for their possible surrender.
Baloch intermediaries pursuing the peacemaking process as part of the Pur Aman Balochistan plan told The Nation on Sunday that Lashakar-e-Balochistan chief Javed Mengal was formally contacted to lay down arms and become part of the mainstream politics.
He (Javed) expressed the desire to surrender but demanded solid guarantees absolving him of his actions against the State. More than three informal contacts had already been made with the rebel leader of Mengal tribe to persuade him for laying down arms.
Major Baloch militant leaders Brahamdagh Bugti and Harbiyar Marri living in self-exile in Switzerland and London respectively, somewhat made similar demand when formally contacted by the influential Baloch mediators after Prime Minister’s announcement of Pur Aman Balochistan plan.
Analysts say peace initiatives are highly important for the progress of the restive province as well as the success of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
Nawab Jangraiz Murri, chief of Marri tribe, has contacted his younger brother, Harbiyar Marri to convince him for peace and become part of the national mainstream.
Harbiyar Marri is the head of the Balochistan Liberation Army.
Mir Bakhtiar Khan Domki, a close relative of Brahamdagh Bugti, contacted him to join the peace. Brahamdagh Bugti is the chief of Balochistan Republican Army.
All three Lashkar-e-Balochistan, Balochistan Liberation Army and Baloch Republican Army are designated as terrorist organisations by the authorities concerned.
According to Interior Ministry officials, more than 70 key second-line commanders of Lashkar-e-Balochistan, Balochistan Liberation Army, Baloch Republican Army, Baloch Liberation Front, United Baloch Army and other small militant outfits have surrendered so far.
In a major surrender few days back, 400 militants laid down arms. The surrender included 30 key second-line commanders of Lashkar-e-Balochistan, Balochistan Liberation Army, Baloch Republican Army, Baloch Liberation Front and United Baloch Army with their 370 foot soldiers.
In the result of intelligence-based operations, security forces have picked up 530 people connected with outlawed TTP, Lashkar-e-Balochistan, Balochistan Liberation Army, Baloch Republican Army, Baloch Liberation Front and United Baloch Army.
The revelations made by some of the detained led to more than six important anti-terror operations in the volatile province against banned TTP and Baloch militant outfits.
Two key TTP figures were taken out in these operations, besides clamping down some major operations of the Baloch militant organisations.
At least one important commander of the Baloch Liberation Front and another two militants of Balochistan Liberation Army were killed in two separate operations in Turbat and Kohlu respectively.
In a sting operation of a top intelligence service, a group of RAW agents has also been smashed in Balochistan.