ISLAMABAD, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- At least 265 anti-government militants, including key commanders, of various banned organizations, have laid down arms and surrendered to the government in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province on Tuesday, local media reported.

The militants surrendered in Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan, said government officials, adding that all the militants surrendered arms for the betterment and progress of the country.

The 265 former militants renounced violence and vowed to join the mainstream political system and work for the peace and development of the country, said local media reports.

The surrendering of militants was part of the ongoing political reconciliation in the province, which was started under the National Action Plan against terrorism in 2015. So far, roughly 2,000 militants have since surrendered to the authorities, said the officials.

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