Bangalore, July 31 - IT bellwether Infosys Technologies Friday became the first private firm in India, post the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, to get security cover from the elite Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) for its sprawling campus here.

'I would like to thank the central government, the home ministry, and the state government for helping us get the security services of CISF personnel,' Infosys chief mentor N.R. Narayana Murthy said while welcoming a detachment of 101 troopers at the campus in Electronic City, about 15 kms from the city centre.

CISF Inspector General R.K. Mishra said: 'This is for the first time since its creation in 1969 that the CISF will be providing security cover to a corporate organization. We are pleased and proud to be entrusted with the responsibility of security at Infosys.'

'CISF will act as an arms support. Our main task is to delay, deny and neutralize any possible terror strike in Infosys. We'll provide unobtrusive and inclusive security cover, and regular security cover of the Infosys will be done by the existing security personnel of the company,' Mishra added.

The CISF personnel will provide a 24X7 protection shield to the Indian software giant which, intelligence agencies believe, could be a target for terrorists. The detachment comprises an assistant commandant, an inspector, 12 sub-inspectors, 18 head constables and 69 constables.

Mandated with 'anti-terrorist and anti-sabotage' duties, the CISF personnel will not be responsible for 'watch and ward' duties that will continue to be provided by the 350 personnel of a private security firm, another CISF official said.

Infosys will be shelling out around Rs.