Islamabad, Aug 16 (IANS): The Pakistan Army announced on Tuesday the launch of an operation along the Afghan border.

An Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement said the operation was launched "to reinforce troop deployment in Rajgal valley to effectively check and guard against" movement across the porous border in the Khyber Agency, Dawn online reported.

The operation targets "movement on high mountains and all-weather passes in Khyber Agency," the statement said.

Despite heavy military presence on both sides of the border, cross-border movements of militants have been a major area of concern. Investigation into the Bacha Khan University Attack in January established that the mastermind, planners and handlers had used Afghan soil and telecommunication network for executing the deadly strike that killed 18 people.

Earlier this month, Pakistan opened a gate at Torkham, one of the busiest crossing points between the two countries and used by 15,000-20,000 people and hundreds of vehicles daily, Dawn online said.