India puts nuclear plants on alert

[Naveed Yaseen]

* Measure comes after suspect arrested in US travelled to Indian states that have N-installations
* Step precautionary in nature

By Iftikhar Gilani

NEW DELHI: India has put its nuclear power plants on alert and tightened security after intelligence about possible attacks, a report said on Monday.

The step comes after a man arrested in the US on charges of plotting attacks in India was found to have travelled to Indian states that have nuclear installations, the Press Trust of India (PTI) said.

PTI quoted unnamed sources in the Home Ministry as saying the state governments had been asked to step up security around their nuclear plants as a “precautionary measure”.

Precautions: “The step is precautionary in nature. The states have been asked to increase the vigil and patrolling to thwart any sabotage attempt aimed at these vital facilities,” a Home Ministry official was quoted as saying by the news agency.

The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), located in Mumbai, has been put on the highest alert. The Indian Navy, Coast Guard and all other security agencies have been directed to take precautionary measures to protect the installations, most of which are located near the coast.

A senior Home Ministry official, who was not authorised to speak to the media, said some states had been asked to tighten security around “vital installations”, without giving any details.

US authorities arrested David Headley, a US citizen, on October 3 on charges of hatching a plot to attack a Danish newspaper.

New Delhi had asked to interview Headley over possible plans to attack Indian targets and are investigating various visits to the country.

The US government said Headley also travelled to Pakistan where he communicated with members of Lashkar-e-Tayyaba.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...2009_pg7_1