A pilot vehicle, accompanied by both CISF and state police personnel will be part of the additional security measures for these scientists, whose movements have also been restricted, the official said.

"The movement of six scientists, associated with the satellite and rocket divisions, have also been restricted to avoid any untoward incident, following threats to their life by militant group Lashkar-e-Toiba", the official told PTI.

"Apart from this, all ISRO installations throughout India, including the well-known Satish Dhawan Centre at Sriharikota have been provided round-the-clock additional protection", the sources said, adding that security would be further enhanced if there was any specific instruction from higher officials.

The extra security for the scientists, including ISRO Chairman G Madhavan Nair, who was provided Z category security, came in the wake of information from captured Lashkar militant Furfur Nawas alais Shabaz Nawaz.

Nawaz reportedly told his interrogators that the Lashkar had made plans to either kidnap or assassinate some prominent scientists, including Dr Madhavan Nair.

related report
ISRO chief Madhavan Nair given Z category security
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman G Madhavan Nair and six other prominent space scientists have been provided with security cover following threat to their lives after a Lashkar-e-Taiba militant claimed that plans were being hatched to kidnap or assassinate them.

Sources in the Union Home Ministry said 65-year-old Nair, who is also Secretary, Department of Space, had been provided with "Z" category security while the other six scietists associated with the satellite and rocket divisions were given "Y" category security.

The move comes in the wake of interrogation of Furfur Nawaz alias Shabaz Nawaz, a Lashkar militant, recently deported from a Gulf country. He told the interrogators that Lashker had made plans to either kidnap or assassinate some of the prominent scientists including Nair, the sources said.

Under the Z category, Nair, a recipient of country's second highest civilian award - Padma Vibushan - will have an escort and guards round-the-clock.

The other scientists will have a Personal Security Officer and two guards each. When contacted over phone, Director (Public Relations) of ISRO S Satish said that the organisation had received an alert from Union Home Ministry following which the security was reviewed and necessary measures were taken.

The security of the campus and some of the prominent scientists was reviewed, he said, without divulging any of the names.

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