ISLAMABAD: As many as eight militants associated with Jamaat ul Ahrar have shunned militancy and surrendered before the security forces in Mohmand Agency on Tuesday, an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement said.
It further said that those who have put down weapons include Akbar, Gul, Siraj and their five close associates.
Since its establishment in 2014, Jamaat-ul-Ahrar has proved to be a lethal terrorist group, by perpetrating some of the most brutal attacks in Pakistan. While the leadership is currently based out of Afghanistan, Ahrar has networks in Bajaur and Mohmand agencies of the Federally Administrative Tribal Areas, as well as support structures in others parts of thecountry.
The militant outfit is the brainchild of Omar Khalid Khorasani — an ambitious Taliban commander and a former member of the Pakistani Taliban’s Shura - who parted ways with the Taliban after they pursued peace talks with the government.
From August 2014 to date, the group has been found involved in 116 terrorist attacks in Pakistan, against diverse targets ranging from security forces, tribal elders, and minorities to sectarian communities.
Last year, Ahrar launched an operation titled “al-Raad” (Thunder). Shortly after, it orchestrated attacks on the Charsadda University, the Christian community on Easter Day in Lahore, Quetta’s Civil Hospital, Session Courts in Mardan and on an FC camp in MohmandAgency.
Earlier this month, it launched “Operation Ghazi”, and has since planned and executed eight gun and bombattacks.