Sourthern states vulnerable to 26/11 like attack: NSA

Coastal areas in southern states can be potential targets for terrorists to infiltrate into the country, sources quoted National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon as telling a gathering of police chiefs from across the country here on Thursday.

Emphasising the importance of coastal security in the aftermath of 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, the NSA cautioned that South Indian shores may be used by terrorists to infiltrate using high seas and security agencies have to be alert to thwart any such attempt.

In the closed-door conference organised by the Intelligence Bureau, the sources quoted Menon as having said that despite the audacious attack on Mumbai in 2008, not much has been done by the coastal states to tighten security along the seas.

The sources quoted NSA as saying that after the Mumbai attack, no one has paid serious attention to improving coastal security.

On cyber security front, Menon cautioned hostile neighbouring countries are attacking India's cyber space and the country needs to adhere to cyber norms strictly or else "our vital information can be compromised with".

Menon also asked the police chiefs to watch developments taking place in Pakistan carefully in the wake of its army chief's term coming to an end.

"2014 is crucial as militants as well as anti-social elements may try to flare up communal tension. We should be geared up for the challenge," sources quoted NSA as saying.