High alert for Obama's Taj Mahal visit

Lucknow – A high alert has been sounded in Agra ahead of the visit of the US President Barack Obama on Jan 27, officials said on Saturday.

Special officials and personnel of the local intelligence unit (LIU) have been asked to step up vigil and stay in coordination with the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and other intelligence wings, a home department official told IANS.

Security deployment has been increased at the railway stations - Raja Mandi, Fort and Cantonment - and bus stations in the city.

The security has also been enhanced following a letter threatening a terror attack "somewhere" on the Yamuna Expressway, which connects Agra with New Delhi.

Special security personnel and sharp shooters would be positioned on vantage and high-positions, officials informed IANS.

Seventy-five anti-terror squad (ATS) personnel will be deployed on the outer periphery of the security ring protecting the US president, sources said while adding that the internal security of Obama will be taken care by special forces, specially requisitioned from Delhi and the inner most ring would be of special secret service agents from the United States.

Many hotels in the Cantt area are also being booked for advance teams of the Secret Service.

Obama had missed out on the Taj Mahal on his previous visit to India and has shown his interest to visit the monument of love this time. The US president is arriving in India on Jan 25. he will the chief guest at the Republic Day Parade on Jan 26.