16 Taliban surrender in Kurram

PESHAWAR: Sixteen members from the banned terrorist organisation, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), surrendered to government authorities in Kurram tribal region, a senior administration official said on Saturday. The militants, who had been involved in heinous crimes in Kurram Agency, gave up their weapons before the political administration in presence of embedded media in Parachinar, headquarters of the region. Sources quoted Kurram Political Agent Shahab Ali Shah as saying that all those who had surrendered would face a trial. Their cases would be decided by anti-terrorism courts, the political agent said. The former militants told the media that they had witnessed foreign fighters working side-by-side under four commanders – Abdullah, Muhammad Rasham, Walid and Rafiqullah. They also confessed to being involved in crimes against their local people and fight against security forces. The former militants, whose faces were covered, said that they belonged to different tribes, including Masoodzai, Ali Sher, Afridi and Manttak (Orakzai). “We have shun all [militant] activities and ready to stand with our people and law enforcement agencies,” a militant was quoted as saying. “We want to start our new life because we were compelled to cooperate with TTP militants when they started their activities in Kurram Agency. Now we have realised that they are killing our own people and not waging a jihad... rather it is bloodshed of the innocent people.” Shahab Ali told reporters that around 2,500 militant were involved in criminal activities in Kurram Agency. staff report

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