Bomb scare causes panic at Taj Mahal

Agra: Security personnel searched the Taj Mahal premises for more than two hours Friday afternoon after police received a bomb threat by phone.

Personnel from the Central Industrial Security Force, UP police and the PAC searched ever corner of the Taj Mahal and the dog squad and the bomb disposal squad were called.

The area around the Taj Mahal was turned into a fortress and traffic movement around the monument was suspended.

Top officials including the zone Inspector General of Police supervised the operation that covered the sides and rear of the monument.

There was no tourist rush at the Taj as Friday is the weekly off day. The namazis at the monument were also thoroughly frisked.

SSP Mohit Agarwal told the media that the caller's identity was being traced and investigations were on to find out the motive.

Police later said that SSP Mohit Agarwal received a phone call in the afternoon. The caller said someone had rung him to say that there would be a bomb blast in the Taj complex. This triggered the massive security operation.