Plant at
terror risk after US deal: India
NEW DELHI—Terrorist threats to India’s infrastructure including its
atomic plants have increased in the wake of a civilian nuclear energy
deal with the United States, Home Minister Shivraj Patil said.
Patil, who was addressing senior police and intelligence officers at a
three-day conference in New Delhi, urged them not to lower their guard
and to squarely meet the challenges posed by terrorism. “Our critical
infrastructure faces a serious threat from terrorists,” Patil said.
“In view of the recent Indo-US Agreement on Civil Nuclear Energy
Cooperation, our atomic power plants have become highly vulnerable.
“Installations of the oil and natural gas sector, defence,
communications and IT sector are equally vulnerable,” Patil said, adding
intelligence reports suggested terrorist threats to ports. Patil did not
elaborate on his comments, which were the first to link the issue of
security of India’s nuclear plants to the civilian nuclear pact
concluded with Washington in March. The deal is currently awaiting the
approval of the US Congress.
A home ministry spokesman said oil and atomic installations were
symbolic of the strides India had made in the fields of economics and
science. “The deal with the United States is also an achievement in the
field of nuclear energy. Therefore the minister was telling the
officials to be vigilant to thwart militant attacks against these
symbols of India’s rising profile in the world,” he said.
“The minister was speaking in the context of long term planning,” he
added. In September, New Delhi said it had “completely revamped”
security at its nuclear facilities following warnings of possible terror
attacks. India has 15 nuclear power plants in operation, with seven
scheduled for completion by 2009. Recent attacks on targets across India
blamed on Pakistan-based groups battling India’s rule in Kashmir have
also led to increased vigilance at government facilities.
Terrorist threats to India’s nuclear plants have increased after a
landmark civilian nuclear cooperation agreement with the United States,
the Indian home minister said on Wednesday. Security at India’s nuclear
facilities has been stepped up over the last year after officials said
they had information that the sites were on the hit-list of Islamist
militants.
Several high-profile attacks on other targets across the country, blamed
on Pakistan-based militant groups fighting against Indian rule in
Kashmir, have also led to increased vigil at government
facilities.—Agencies |
