Saturday, July 29 2006 12:19 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Indian security and nuclear installations are under 'very serious threat' from Pakistan-based militant outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba which may be planning a 'major assault', National Security Adviser M K Narayanan said yesterday (July 28, 2006).

"At the moment, we have at least two or three serious threats there is information that maybe one of our atomic installations could be the target," he said in an interview to Karan Thapar for sources.

Asked whether there was any information about individuals who could be picking up the targets, Narayanan said, "It's LeT operation it is a very serious threat."

He said LeT was far greater threat than Al Qaeda due to its greater reach.

"LeT is an integral part of Al Qaeda but sometimes it becomes even bigger because of its contacts. We have not come across their involvement in the US but in Europe and Asia, they are very active," he said.

"I think I maybe ex-communicated after this. I may not be given information but since you asked me, this is enough for us for more than providing proof to anyone," he said.

"I would like to be able to prevent this and get the module that is responsible," he said.

Narayanan said there were inputs from intelligence agencies that LeT was devoting a great deal of effort to selecting people who were educated and tech savvy.

On speculation that LeT may have infiltrated the armed forces, he said, "There is a concern...they are not doing small jobs but thinking of bigger jobs. So, if there is an infiltration whether it is armed forces or sensitive areas of bureaucracy, it is a matter of concern".

Asked about home grown Indian Muslims as terrorists he said "There is a very, very manifest attempt recruiting Indian Muslims quite often, this is done either when they go for Haj, when they are contacted by Pakistanis or other controllers".