Thursday, December 29 2005 20:03 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Vital scientific and defence installations across the country were today (Dec 29, 2005) put under heavy security in the wake of the suspected terrorist attack at the prestigious Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore in which a scientist was killed and four others injured.

Indian Space Research Organisation has sounded a red alert at all its institutions across the country. Security was beefed up at the space agency's headquarters in Bangalore after the attack on scientists at IISc last night.

Security was tightened at the premier Bhabha Atomic Research Centre in Mumbai, which houses the nation's nuclear assets, and IIT in the suburban Powai.

"We have given further instructions to our security officials at various points to be more alert," BARC Controller P Venugopalan told sources in Mumbai.

In Hyderabad, where Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is scheduled to inaugurate the 93rd Indian Science Congress on January three, the security forces have been put on extra alert. President A P J Abdul Kalam will be addressing the Congress to be attended by over 100 scientists.

The terror attack in Bangalore has 'added a new dimension' to the security at the Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University, the venue of the Congress, Indian Science Congress Association President I V Subba Rao told sources from Hyderabad.

"We are taking extraordinary precaution at the venue and coordinating with the police and paramilitary forces to ensure foolproof security.

Additional forces were stationed at all scientific institutions, national laboratories and vital installations across the country.