LAHORE - Intensive surveillance and search operation is likely to be launched in Southern Punjab in the wake of recent back-to-back attacks in the provincial capital, The Nation learnt on Tuesday. The main cities of Southern Punjab including DG Khan, Shah Sadar Din, Tounsa, Rohjan and Rajan Pur have been pointed out for the operation. Well-placed sources said that banned outfits Jaish-e-Mohammad and the splinters of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi would be the main target during the operation, which is likely to be launched a few months from now. According to the details, suspected leaders of the said outfits will be apprehended while their hideouts and splinters will also be destroyed in the operation. However, some of the main madaris (religious seminaries) located in Southern Punjab have already been announced clear from terrorists activities by the authorities concerned. These include: Jamia Anwarul Uloom, Multan run by Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Hamid Saeed Kazmi; Khairul Madaris, Multan of Maulana Hanif Jallandhari; Baabul Uloom, Kehroor Pakka by Maulana Abdul Majeed Ludhyanvi; Madrasa Ghousia Mehrvia, Lodhran run by Maulana Zafar Ali Shah; Qasimul Uloom, Multan run by Deo Band sect, and the main Mosque located at Khitian Walla Bazaar in Jhang run by Lashkar-e-Jhangvi. Well-placed sources said that different sects in Bahalwapur, DG Khan, Ali Pur, Jalalpur, Rahim Yar Khan and Sadiqabad were running other small madaris, but the real trouble emanated from Jhang, Shah Sadar Din and Rohjan. The surveillance operation will be launched in these localities as they are being considered training centres of Punjabi Taliban, who are said to be 702 in number. Reliable sources added that US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Chief Leon Panetta and US National Security Advisor General James Jones, who arrived in Pakistan during May 2010, during their meeting with President Zardari had urged the Pakistan government to launch comprehensive operations in Southern Punjab and North Waziristan on the pattern of the operation earlier launched in South Wazirstain. They said that top cops, security agencies and responsible people in the government strongly rejected the suggestion and maintained that they would take decision on the matter in their personal capacity and according to the situation of the country. The sources further said that security agencies have also opposed the statement of Interior Minister Rehman Malik in which he stressed the need for the operation in Southern Punjab. According to security agencies reports, the ground realities of Southern Punjab are totally different as compared to South Waziristan where tanks, armoured vehicles, gunship helicopters etc played key role in successful outcome of the military operation.