Manmohan Singh said there was need for operational preparedness of Quick Response Teams at the state level, strengthening of state Special Branches and intelligence wings.

He also appealed to all chief ministers to extend cooperation to the newly set-up National Investigation Agency, empowered to deal with terror related crimes across the country.

Four regional hubs of the National Security Guards (NSG) have been established at Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata, the prime minister said.

The chief ministers are expected to discuss a concerted strategy to defeat Maoist rebels, and for coastal security, border management and modernisation of the police forces.