Intelligence reports warn of more attacks, says PM

New Delhi: Noting that both state and non-state actors are engaged in the "business" of terrorism, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday said regular Intelligence reports had warned of "imminent attacks" in the country and security forces needed to be prepared to meet any challenge.

Addressing the top commanders of three Services in the Capital, he also said that the situation in India's immediate neighbourhood had worsened, apparently referring to the developments in Pakistan which he did not spell out.

He referred to last year's Mumbai attacks and the terror strike at the Indian Embassy in Kabul earlier this month, which he said was "yet another grim reminder of the forces" that India is pitted against.

"There are both state and non-state actors involved in the business of terrorism. India is a democracy and an open society and is, therefore, sometimes highly vulnerable," Singh said.

He pointed out that there has been no major terrorist attack in India since the Mumbai attacks but said "there are regular Intelligence reports of imminent attacks in the country. This is a matter of deep concern and there is no room for complacency".

Official sources said the Prime Minister underscored India's immediate and medium-term defence policy with respect to China, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the internal security challenge posed by Left-wing extremism in vast swathes of the country.

The rising terror attacks in Pakistan and the growing Taliban threat was discussed at length in the meeting.

The senior defence commanders' conference was attended by Defence Minister AK Antony, Home Minister P Chidambaram, External Affairs Minister SM Krishna along with the chiefs of the three defence services.

Referring to the Mumbai attacks whose first anniversary will be observed next month, Singh said the incident had confirmed "our worst fears about the lethal dimensions of terrorism and non-traditional threats to our security".

He said the Government had taken several steps to strengthen the intelligence and security machinery and coordination between the Centre and the states.

"We have to improve our defensive mechanisms against all forms of terrorism, asymmetric warfare and aggravated militancy. We need to be prepared to face onslaughts of this kind, but we should avoid knee-jerk reactions," Singh said at the Combined Commanders' Conference which discussed the security situation in the country and in the immediate neighbourhood.

Observing that Armed Forces must be fully equipped to deal with all threat scenarios, he said "our the troops should be trained to fight anywhere, anytime and under any condition. Their ability to deal with non-traditional threats must receive greater attention."

He said the Government is fully committed to the modernisation of armed forces and ensuring their military superiority and technological edge.

"The modernisation plan should have a long term perspective and be formulated in an integrated manner involving all the three services," he said.