New delhi - Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh warned Friday there was a serious threat to disrupt general elections through militant incursions.

"There is a serious threat. There is no doubt that terrorists have not given up the evil design to destabilise our country to interfere with the poll process," Singh said while meeting with women journalists in the Indian capital.

"Every effort is being made to disrupt the poll process through infiltration. We are alert and have to be alert to deal with the menace," he added.

Singh also admitted that his government had not been successful in warding off terrorist attacks.

"Let me be candid. We have not been successful in warding off terrorist attacks. This requires greater attention."

Singh said the government had come up with a new strategy document under P Chidambaram who was appointed interior minister after the Mumbai terrorist attacks of November 2008.

"There is no way but to strengthen intelligence, state police forces and to strengthen our ability to deal with these terrorist attacks, to ensure that the fallout is minimal," Singh said.

"You must remember India is country of one billion people. I cannot discuss in public how the US deals with terrorism. And we cannot use the draconian ways that America deals with the issue of terrorism," he added.