QUET TA: The `commander` of a banned militant organisation, Ali Muhammad, surrendered himself to senior officers of the Frontier Corps at a ceremonyin Sui town on Saturday.

He said he was abandoning the armed struggle and would join mainstream politics.

Ali Muhammad announced that he and his 10 companions, who also surrendered, would remain loyal to Pakistan and work for the development of Balochistan.`Militants who laid down their arms swore by the Holy Quran to work for the development and prosperity of the country,` of ficial sources said.

The chief of the Kalpar clan of the Bugti tribe, Jalal Khan Kalpar, and many others were present at the ceremony.

The militants who surrendered were involved in attacking gas installations and security forces, bomb blasts and planting landmines in Dera Bugti.

The FC representatives said that conspiracies of the enemy were falling apart and patriotic Pakistanis would continue to safeguard the country.