Five Islamic Militants in Pakistan Surrender

In Pakistan, five Islamic militants accused of harboring Al-Qaeda and Taliban fighters have agreed to surrender as part of a reconciliation deal with the Islamabad government. They are set to formally surrender to a tribal council in a village near the Afghan border. This agreement, brokered by representatives from the Muslim tribal areas along the border, allows the militants to be freed in exchange for pledging to cease their activities and not shelter Afghan militants or Al-Qaeda members. The five men had been leading armed resistance against the Pakistani army's efforts to kill, capture, or expel gunmen affiliated with the Al-Qaeda terrorist network. The five Pakistani militants accused of harboring Al-Qaeda and Taliban fighters surrendered as part of an agreement with the government. They surrendered on Saturday in a remote village near the Afghan border. Military officials and thousands of tribesmen attended the ceremony. A commander of the Pakistan Army stated that foreign fighters in the area have until April 30 to surrender to take advantage of the amnesty, otherwise force will be used against them. The five who surrendered were suspected of leading strong resistance against government operations to locate and suppress militants in the area. Officials believe that hundreds of suspected Al-Qaeda or Afghan terrorists are hiding along the Pakistan border.