Jammu, Nov 6 (IANS): A group of girls, all students from Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, met UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi in Delhi and asked her to intervene for better educational infrastructure and facilities in the district, an official statement said Wednesday.

Twenty three girls and two teachers from government degree colleges in Poonch and Surankote met Sonia Gandhi at her residence on November 4, said the statement issued by the army.

The tour was conducted by the Rashtriya Rifles Battalion under the aegis of counter insurgency force (Romeo) as part of the ongoing Operation Sadbhavna, it stated further.

The students extended an invitation to the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson to visit the region.

"Speaking to the tour participants, Mrs Gandhi urged them to carry with them the message of peace and harmony. She advised the students to make best use of this unique opportunity being provided to them by the army in J&K (Jammu & Kashmir) and also told them to interact freely with children of other parts of the country since this exchange of ideas and vision is what will propel the nation ahead," said the statement.

The group also met Mohammed Azharuddin, the former captain of the Indian cricket team, during their visit to Delhi.

The tour has been named "Deedar-e-Watan - Kashmir se Kanyakumari", during which the students will travel across the country over the next 11 days.