Major offensive against ultras

SRINAGAR, JUNE 12: Security forces have launched a massive offensive against militants in the upper reaches of the Kashmir Valley, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah said here today. 8220;We do not want to give them Pakistan-sponsored militants a chance to come down and attack us.

Instead, we want to take them in the forest area,8221; Abdullah said at a Meet-the-Press programme organised by the state information department. The decision to tackle the militants in the forests and hilly areas of Kashmir was taken recently, he added. Asked about the 8220;pro-active approach8221; announced by Home Minister L K Advani in Delhi recently, Abdullah said, 8220;We are going to tighten our borders so that infiltration from across the border is stopped.8221; Once the infiltration of foreign militants from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir halts, the situation in the Valley will 8220;automatically improve8221; the Chief Minister added.

He said although the situation has improved 8220;considerably8221;, the proxy war by Pakistan 8220;is stillgoing on and we have to deal with an iron hand.8221;