Security tightened at Taj Mahal after terror alert

Security at the Taj Mahal in Agra has been tightened following threats of an imminent terrorist attack.

The Taj Mahal, a monument of unsurpassable architectural beauty, is one of the most visited and most photographed places in the world.

The Central Industrial Security Force has been deployed to protect the Taj Mahal internally, while the state police has been given the duty of maintaining the monument's external security.

Deputy Inspector General of Police (Agra) Brijbhooshan Singh said, "We have laid eight watch towers till now. The advantage of these towers is that the security personnel sanctioned at the tower would be able to keep a tight vigil and thus would fight off any danger. We have also put a lot of barriers. Apart from that, we have also installed CCTVs to keep a check on the movements of the public and to scan the goods they are carrying with them."

"I think security is very important because it would be a great tragedy to lose a building like this and to have anything happen to it. It is a symbol known around the world. Everyone in the world knows about the Taj Mahal and it is what it represents, you know, the love and the beauty," said Rosina Wilson, a tourist.