KHUZDAR: Three prominent leaders and 23 other members of the Baloch Liberation Front (BLF) surrendered themselves to authorities on Friday.

During a ceremony held at a Balochistan Frontier Corps camp here, the 26 men handed over their weapons to the of ficials.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Senator Naimatullah Zehri, Kalat Scouts Commandant Colonel Rizwan Afzal and others attended the ceremony.

Speaking on the occasion, one of theformer BLF leaders, Umar Baloch, expressed regret over his involvement in the fight against his own country and people. He said he and his associates had made the decision to surrender after realising that they were perpetrating violence against their own people and land.

`We had been misled by foreignsponsored elements who got us involved in a futile struggle,` he said, adding that militancy was benefiting only a few people and playing havoc withthe whole Baloch nation. He urged all militants to join the national mainstream and quit the path of violence because it was in their best interest.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Zehri and Colonel Afzal urged Baloch militants to surrender themselves to the government following in the footsteps of their fellows instead of playing into the hands of enemy forces.

They said the government would facilitate surrendering militants to live a normal and peaceful life.-APP