Separatist leader in Pakistan appears before cameras and says he has surrendered with 70 followers
ABC News
The leader of the main insurgent group in southwestern Pakistan has appeared before cameras to say that he has surrendered to authorities with some 70 of his followers and is giving up his yearslong fight for independence
QUETTA, Pakistan -- The leader of the main insurgent group in southwestern Pakistan appeared before cameras on Wednesday to say he has surrendered to authorities with some 70 of his followers and is giving up his yearslong fight for independence.
Sarfraz Bungulzai, who was previously known by his nom de guerre as Mureed Baluch, told reporters in Quetta, the capital of Baluchistan province, that he feels remorse for the deadly attacks he and his Baluch National Army carried out against Pakistani security forces.
The group, also known by its acronym as BNA, has been banned by the government in Islamabad.
The development is a significant boost for Pakistan’s government, which has battled militants and insurgents of various groups across the country. Earlier this year, Pakistan top intelligence agency arrested another prominent BNA member — Gulzar Imam, also known by the name Shambay, the group’s founder.
Speaking at a government-organized news conference, Bungulzai declared that he deeply regrets his role in abducting civilians for ransom and the killings of unarmed people. It was not clear if he spoke under duress, if he had been taken into custody or if he would face any charges.
