New Delhi: As a fallout of intense operations by the Royal Bhutan Army against the militant camps on its territory and intense pressure exerted by the operations of the Indian Army units in the areas bordering Bhutan, 43 militants - 28 NDFB (National Democratic Front of Bodoland) and 15 ULFA (United Liberation Front of Asom) - have surrendered to the Army units during the past 24 hours in various districts in Assam.

A large quantity of arms and ammunition were also handed over by the surrendering militants, an official release said today (Jan 21, 2004).

Such large-scale surrender is indicative of very low morale of the militant cadres. Since the commencement of operations by the Royal Bhutan Army and complementary operations by the Indian Army on its side of the border, nearly 200 militants have surrendered, it said.

More such surrenders are expected in the days to come, it said.