NEW DELHI: India has put its nuclear installations on terror alert, the Press Trust of India said on Monday, citing home ministry sources.

It said the new measures were ordered after it was found that David Headley, a US citizen arrested by FBI on terror charges, had visited some states having atomic installations.

The PTI said the Indian home ministry had asked all state governments protecting their nuclear plants to step up patrolling and vigil around the facilities as a precautionary measure.

They said that Mr Headley, accused of plotting terror attacks in India on behalf of Pakistan-based LeT, had visited Gujarat, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh — all with nuclear installations — raising suspicion that nuclear facilities could be on the radar of the terrorists.

‘The step is precautionary in nature. The states have been asked to increase the vigil and patrolling to thwart any sabotage attempt aimed at these vital facilities,’ a ministry official was quoted as saying.

The PTI listed six major nuclear energy plants operational in the country — Narora in Uttar Pradesh, Kaiga in Karnataka, Tarapur in Maharashtra, Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu, Kakrapar in Gujarat and Kota in Rajasthan, besides several other research and development centres like Bhabha Atomic Research Centre in Trombay.