GORZNY, January 13 (RIA Novosti) - Five members of illegal armed formations have surrendered in the Republic of Chechnya in Russia's North Caucasus two days before the amnesty deadline, local law enforcement agencies said Saturday.

The militants turned themselves in to police in Grozny and the Achkhoi Martan area, in western Chechnya.

Following the killing of Chechnya's number one terrorist, Shamil Basayev, Russian authorities announced a partial amnesty July 15, 2006 for militants who were not involved in major atrocities.

A law granting amnesty to militants and servicemen guilty of offenses during the North Caucasus antiterrorism campaign went into force in late September 2006.

According to the National Antiterrorism Committee, 470 militants have accepted the surrender offer since its announcement, mainly in Chechnya, and returned to normal life.

Chechen Prime Minister Ramzan Kadyrov said earlier he does not think the amnesty, which ends January 15, should be extended.