New Delhi, May 21 -- The Centre has sanctioned a contingent of 296 armed CISF personnel for providing a counter-terrorist security cover to the Bhakra dam amid the continuing standoff between Punjab and Haryana over sharing of water from the dam, official sources said Wednesday.

They said the Union home ministry has directed that the force be deployed at the dam, located in Nangal along the Punjab-Himachal Pradesh border, in view of threat perception reports prepared for it by central intelligence and security agencies.

A total of 296 Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel will be deployed at the Bhakra dam for securing it against any sabotage or terrorist attack-like threat, the sources said.

The force will take position a...