Taj Mahal security elevated following threat from Islamic State (ISIS) Terrorist Group

Lucknow, Mar 18, 2017: Security at the Taj Mahal has been amplified following a media report about a threat to the heritage site from terror group ISIS.

"A link has been circulated in which it is claimed that Taj Mahal is on the target of ISIS. We are probing it. However, security has been enhanced in and around the monument," Additional Director General, Law and Order, Daljeet Singh Chowdhury told PTI.

After a website showed graphics of a terrorist standing beside the Taj Mahal with a something resembling a weapon, the security was enhanced. According to reports, a pro-ISIS media group published a graphic depicting Taj Mahal, one of the wonders of the world, as a possible target of the terror outfit.

After a website showed graphics of a terrorist standing beside the Taj Mahal with a something resembling a weapon, the security was enhanced. According to reports, a pro-ISIS media group published a graphic depicting Taj Mahal, one of the wonders of the world, as a possible target of the terror outfit.

The graphic was released a week after security agencies executed combing operation in Uttar Pradesh in which Saifullah, one of the accused was killed while six others were arrested.

As per reports, Saifullah carried out a train attack in Bhopal after he brainwashed by the ISIS through online medium.

The graphic shows an ISIS wearing combat gear and a black headgear, armed with an assault rifle standing beside the taj Mahal. It also features three inset pictures- an image of Taj Mahal within crosshairs with the words "New Target" below it, a van with the Arabic text "Agra istishhad" (Agra martyrdom-seeker) written in English, implying the threat of a suicide bombing, and an image of a "bomb".

The Taj Mahal, the biggest attraction for foreign and domestic tourists, is now protected by internal security provided by Central Industrial Military Force, a central para-military force which provides protection for industrial units, metro rail, airports along with other sensitive places.

The Uttar Pradesh Police and Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) man the outer periphery.

Outside the 500 metre security ring, police teams keep a strict watch on the movement of vehicles both on the western gate parking and the Shilpgram parking slot towards the eastern gate.

-Prepared by Nikita Saraf, Twitter: @niki_saraf