India Travel Times for Travel News - Security at Taj tightened after Mumbai terrorist attacks

Travel News, November, 2008

Security beefed up in Agra in the wake of Mumbai terror attacks

Agra/Lucknow: In the wake of Mumbai terror attacks, security has been beefed up in Agra. The city is famous for its Taj Mahal, a monument built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in commemoration of his wife Mumtaz. It draws maximum tourist footfalls and it is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The Taj Mahal is thronged by the national and the international tourists round the year. Cautious after the atrocious attacks that killed more than 150 people, the security forces in the city have deployed special teams to keep a close vigil and have also strengthened the barricades near the monument. The city has been divided into five sectors and a Magistrate has been put in charge of each sector to supervise the security measures. Rigorous checking of vehicles is on and many hotels and railways stations have been thoroughly put under the scanner. "Sector scheme is on. All our police officials and Magistrate are in action. Our officials are making a note of all the places. The security personnel weapons are being checked and they are being updated and briefed about their responsibilities in case of an attack. Our quick response team has been placed everywhere in the city and rigorous checking is being done. Apart from this hotels, railway stations and bus stands have been checked," said Prem Prakash, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP). In Lucknow the people paid homage to those who lost their lives in the ruthless attack, apparently one of the biggest terror attacks of its kind. Offering flowers the people prayed for peace and strength to fight against militancy. "Today we have paid homage to those security personnel and innocent people who have lost their lives in the attack. We pray for the peace of their souls. We hope that we people would drive inspiration from their sacrifice and would fight against terrorism unitedly," said Ramapati Ram Tripathi, a political leader.

In Mumbai the atrocious and ruthless episode of blood bath has finally come to an end as the National Security Guard (NSG) commandos managed to wipe out the militants from the Taj hotel. More than 150 people have lost their lives and around 283 people have been injured. The authorities said 18 foreigners were among the killed. Three Germans, five Americans, one Australian, a Briton, one Canadian, two French, an Israeli, an Italian, a Japanese, a Singaporean and a Thai were among the dead. The attacks were carried out by a small group of young terrorists with links in Karachi armed with rifles and grenades, some of whom arrived by sea, who fanned out across Mumbai to attack sites popular with tourists and business executives on Wednesday night.
-Nov 29, 2008