Bhutan's new govt warns of action against NE rebels

Bhutan's new government will not hesitate to carry out a 2003-like operation against Indian insurgents if they sneak into its territory, the Druk Phuensum Tshogpa said on Wednesday. The DPT swept to power in the country's first general election on Monday.

The DPT, which will form the first elected government in Bhutan, said there won't be much changes to the erstwhile kingdom's foreign policy with its two giant neighbours India and China.

"Both India and China are important neighbours and we will continue to maintain excellent relations with them," party spokesman Palden Tshering said.

"Our foreign policy is very clear. Our relations with India for decades have been of bonhomie and there won't be any change in that approach," former foreign secretary Ugyen Tshering said.

Ugyen denied reports of presence of camps of northeast rebels in southern Bhutan. "These are not true and even if militants try to sneak into our country, we will not hesitate to do what we did in 2003," he said.

Bhutan had evicted ULFA, NDFB and KLO militants through a military operation in 2003 and destroyed nearly 15 of their camps during Operation All Clear.

Among the prized catch were senior United Liberation Front of Assom adviser Bhimkanta Buragohain and publicity secretary Mithinga Daimary. Former prime minister Yeshey Zimba, who won from the South Thimphu constituency, said Bhutan will never allow Indian insurgents on its soil.