Official sources said the strategy was finalised following a high-level meeting of State DGP Gurbhachan Jagat with his HP counterpart BS Thakur at New Delhi recently. The security forces would launch simultaneous operations from Kathua and Doda side which are in the proximity of HP.

Police sources said that for effective operations, more security personnel have been provided for Kathua district. A permanent police chowki has been set up at Lohang along the border with HP and a police sub-inspector has been posted there. A company of Central Reserve Police Force has also been posted at the chowki.

Sources said that the Bani Police Station, under whose jurisdiction the chowki is operating, has also been strengthened with more companies of paramilitary forces sent there. What has necessitated the steps, according to officials, are reports about increased movement of militants in the Bani area including Lohai Malhar, Sarthal, Longa and Macheda in Billawar.

Intelligence sources said the recent reports had indicated that the top leader of Hizbul Mujahideen active in Udhampur, Farooq Ansari, has been spotted in the upper reaches of Bani. Officials said that with some brutal massacres already been carried out by the militants in Chamba district, the security agencies were fearing that Ansari's presence could mean another strike in the border belt.

Simultaneously, the security forces would launch another offensive from the Doda side which again is adjoining Chamba district in HP. Official sources said that to begin with, Thathri in Doda has been made an operational headquarters and a SP rank officer has been put in charge. ``The State Task Force (STF) jawans of the district police who are posted at Thathri would primarily carry out the operations along the HP-J&K border,'' an officer said.

These STF operational teams would be supported by Army units who were rushed to the area in view of the Chamba massacre. Sources said that a Rashtriya Rifles unit has been stationed in the Thathri area for the purpose. Besides, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel deployed on either side of J&K-HP border would also chip in and provide backup to the operational teams.

Sources said another important aspect of the strategy would be Intelligence sharing. The local Intelligence unit of Doda Police has been directed to share Intelligence about militant movement in the border area with their HP counterparts. ``Once the information is shared, it could help in effective and timely action by the operational teams,'' an officer in Doda said.

Officials said that both Jagat and Thakur in the New Delhi meeting emphasised on the need for constant interaction between the SPs of Doda, Kathua and Chamba. ``It is essential for having a streamlined coordination between the district chiefs,''. Also, the State police chiefs would constantly monitor operations in the area.