Security stepped up at nuclear facilities fearing LeT attacks

New Delhi, July 31 (UNI) The government has stepped up security at its nuclear installations following intelligence reports that Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) is planning attacks on critical infrastructure, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee informed the Lok Sabha today.

''Special security measures have been taken and more are under consideration to prevent the attacks by LeT on vital installations, including nuclear,'' Mr Mukherjee said during Zero Hour after BJP Deputy Leader Vijay Kumar Malhotra cited media reports quoting National Security Adviser M K Narayanan as saying that at least one of the nuclear installations was under threat of being attacked by LeT.

Mr Mukherjee said the security agencies had information that LeT modules were planning to carry out some strikes against critical infrastructure items, military targets and religious places.

''Regarding items of critical infrastructure, reports indicate a possibility of nuclear installations being considered,'' he added.

India has 15 operating nuclear power plants.

He said LeT was being ''continuously and carefully monitored'' as its activities had been on the rise for sometime now.

The Pakistan-based militant group has been blamed for recent Mumbai train blasts that left 186 people dead.

Earlier, Mr Malhotra said the National Security Adviser had stated such a ''chilling'' thing to the media without taking the Prime Minister and Parliament into confidence.

Mr Basudeb Acharia (CPI-M) also expressed concern and said the matter was so serious that either the Prime Minister or the Defence Minister should reply.

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