Tuesday, January 4 2005 18:20 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: M K Narayanan, Special Advisor to Prime Minister, has been assigned the duties of National Security Advisor following the death of incumbent J N Dixit.

"The Prime Minister has assigned the duties of National Security Advisor to M K Narayanan, Special Advisor to PM," an announcement by the PMO today (Jan 4, 2005) said.

It said Narayanan will discharge the duties of NSA in addition to his existing duties until further orders.

Narayanan, a former IB chief, is an expert in security matters and is a specialist in Sri Lankan affairs.

Dixit died yesterday following a massive heart attack.