Rebel tribesmen surrender in southwest Pakistan

PAKISTAN: A group of about 22 rebels downed arms and surrendered Saturday to authorities in Pakistan's restive southwestern province of Baluchistan, officials said.

A total of 22 tribesmen belonging to Marri tribe have surrendered with weapons and explosives in the town of Sibbi, a security official told AFP.

"They surrendered unconditionally and have promised to live peacefully," he added.

The rebels had been hiding at three fugitives camps known as Karmo Wadh, Haftpur and Bangan and had been taking part in anti-state activities, he said. A rebel commander said that the group had surrendered arms after realising that their tribe had been fighting for a unrealistic cause.

"We were mislead by our people that our nation will get independence and that there will be prosperity, but that never happened," leader Wadera Tawwakal Marri told AFP.

The surrender follows the killing of the chief of rebel Bugti tribe, Nawab Akbar Bugti in a military strike in August.

Bugti's killing sparked violent riots by his supporters across Baluchistan which is rich in mineral resources.

QUETTA, Sunday, AFP