QUETTA: A group of 32 purported militants,led by four`commanders`, announced on Wednesday that they had abandoned their armed struggle against the state and government and handed over their weapons to Nawab Jangez Khan, chief of the Marri tribe and Balochistan Minister for Irrigation and Power, at his residence.

Addressing a press conference, Nawab Jangez welcomed the militants on abandoning fighting and joining the mainstream politics.

`We belonged to the banned Baloch Liberation Army and United Baloch Army, the militants`leaders Nehalo Khan Marri and Dostain Khan Marri told reporters. They said they had been involved in various subversive activities in Kohlu and Harnai and Nawab Jangez had persuaded them to surrender. `We belong to the Marri tribe and obey the orders of our tribal chief. We were misguided bysome extremists and we adopted the way of militancy.

They said they would remain loyal to Pakistan and live peacefully.

Nawab Jangez, a PML-N leader, said that patriotic forces were in touch with Baloch militants and persuading them to leave militancy and join the mainstream politics.

`Hundreds of militants have surrendered and a large number of others are ready to follow suit.

He said the movement of the nationalist leaders living abroad in self-exile was weakening and their followers were joining the mainstream.

`I am in touch with many militant commanders who want to join mainstream politics to work for the betterment of their people,`he said.

Replying to a question, he said the federal and provincial governments would jointly take a decision about changing the set-up in Balochistan.