After last October’s devastating earthquake that left thousands dead in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), militants staying in this region have started giving up arms and are returning to Kashmir.

Since the quake, 27 active militants have crossed the LoC and surrendered before the troops. Official sources said militants surrendered at Army formations near the LoC. Sources added that last December a small group of three crossed the LoC and laid down their arms near an Army post in Uri. In January, seven more militants surrendered in the same sector. Another group of eight followed suit in February, sources said. And this month so far nine militants in three small groups have laid down their weapons.

Army spokesman Col H Joneja admitted that the surrenders have taken place near the LoC in Uri. ‘‘It’s true the number of militants who surrendered have increased. Soon after the quake, the trend picked up with many active militants giving up arms,’’ he said. ‘‘The ongoing peace process between India and Pakistan and the urge of Kashmiri militants to return to the mainstream are the main reasons behind these surrenders,’’ he said.

‘‘After the quake, relatives of the militants saw the humane face of the Army and managed to motivate their boys to join the mainstream,’’ he said. Officials, however, are surprised over the rising number of surrenders in Uri. ‘‘It is not possible for any militant to cross the LoC through Uri as it is a high security zone. Only after a deal is struck, these militants have managed to cross the LoC,’’ said a top security official.

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