From correspondents in Delhi, India, 01:30 PM IST

The Indian Army and the Indian Navy have been placed on high alert along the country's southern coast to prevent any infiltration bid by Tamil tiger cadres fleeing the military offensive against them in Sri Lanka, a top commander said Wednesday.

'There is a high alert in the southern command,' Indian Army vice chief Lt. Gen. Noble Thamburaj told reporters here.

'The Coast Guard and the Indian Navy form the first tier (of defence). We have some troops deployed to ensure LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) don't enter (Tamil Nadu).

'As of now, there are no reports of any bid by LTTE to enter,' Thamburaj added.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)