RAJOURI, Oct 5: Coming down from the extreme heights of the Pir Panjal range, the Army troops have launched a `seek and destroy operation' to flush out militants hiding in Thana Mandi, Darhal and Surankote areas of the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir.

Besides, the Army and other security agencies have decided to launch joint operations to trap militants in the area between Pir Panjal and villages.

The decision was taken at a high level meeting attended by senior Army, security forces, para-military and intelligence officials, besides the deputy commissioners and superintendents of police of the two districts.

Referring to the operation, official sources told The Indian Express that the troops had gone to the extreme heights of Pir Panjal in search of militants who had attacked their camp at Thana Mandi on September 12.

Some soldiers had been injured in that attack. After sanitising the extreme heights, the troops have now started coming down to the plains from different directions.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.