India on the radar of terrorists: AK Antony

Warning that India is on "the radar of terrorists", defence minister AK  Antony today said the government was receiving information on some terror threat or the other everyday.

"India is on the radar of terrorists and we have to keep continuous and constant vigil. Almost everyday we are getting information on threats from terrorists. But we have to be vigilant," Antony told reporters here in Minicoy when asked to comment on the recent reports of terror threats to Mumbai metropolis.

"This is only a report. Actually, after 26/11, hundreds of such threats have been defeated. We cannot take rest. We have to be vigilant all the time," he said.

Noting that the coast guard, navy and other armed forces were always vigilant, he said the current focus of these maritime security forces was to secure the island territories of the country as a large number of them were uninhabited.

He said compared to the situation before 26/11, coastal security in the last two years had improved vastly and was not "superior" and noted that several acquisition plans of the Coast Guard would fructify in 2011.

"After the cCommittee on security approval to coastal security plan in February 2009, we have already commissioned eight new coast guard stations and three district headquarters. The process of installing 38 static radars will be completed by November 2011.

"This is record year for coast guard in terms of new boats, ships and assets. We have also cleared the doubling of its force levels and training is going on now for new recruits," he said.

He said the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) was in the process of manufacturing and delivering 12 new Dornier aircraft for coast guard.

However, there were some technical problems with regard to leasing of eight reconnaissance medium lift helicopters for which a new tender has been issued, he added.