New Delhi: The nation on September 24 was put on a state of high alert to deal with any fallout of the attack on a famous temple in Gandhinagar as political and religious leaders appealed for calm and not to fall prey to rumours.

Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee urged the people not to be provoked by the incident while Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi made fervent pleas for peace as authorities beefed up security at important places of worship and vital installations.

Besides the capital, Gujarat, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Chattisgarh governments have worked out strategies mounting a special watch in pockets of mixed population.

Apparently in the backdrop of communal riots in Gujarat, religious leaders including those from the Muslim Personal Law Board and minority relief committees in Ahmedabad appealed not to view the terrorist attack from a religious angle.

Modi appealed to people to maintain peace and to have faith in the government and to extend cooperation in dealing with the situation.

Special emphasis was made by several leaders not to be misguided by rumours.

Gujarat Governor S S Bhandari appealed to people to guard against any design to destabilise communal harmony.

Civil Aviation Minister Shahnawaz Hussain said the assailants have nothing to do with religion and cautioned against nefarious designs of the "enemy".

A red alert has been sounded and security beefed up in Karnataka following the terrorist attack on the famous Swaminarayan temple at Gandhinagar in Gujarat, official sources said on September 24.

Soon after the incident, Karnataka Home Minister Mallikarjun Kharge held a high- level meeting with top officials and told them to take all steps to maintain law and order at any cost, the sources said.

Security had been tightened in sensitive places and adequate protection given for places of worship of different religions.

Police reinforcements had also been drawn in sufficient strength, the sources added.

Andhra Pradesh police have been put on high alert to prevent any untoward incidents in the wake of terrorist attack on Swaminarayan temple at Gandhinagar in Gujarat.

Strict vigil would be maintained at all places of worship and key installations, police sources said.

Tamil Nadu police also have been put on "red" alert following the terrorist attack on Swaminarain Temple at Gandhinagar in Gujarat on September 24.