LUCKNOW, Aug 18: Heavily-armed troops were deployed at Taj Mahal on Friday after police received a letter threatening to blow up the 17th century monument to love.

The sender identified himself as Mohammed Mirza and claimed to be associated with the Al Qaeda network.

“We are looking for the man who sent the handwritten letter,” said Sanjay Prasad, district magistrate of the town of Agra.

The official said the threat appeared to be a hoax but police, who had already announced earlier this month they did not believe current security arrangements were adequate to thwart a terror strike, were taking no chances.

Apart from about 100 extra troops, sand-bag bunkers were put up at entry gates for 24-hour vigil by policemen equipped with automatic weapons at the Mughal-built monument.—AFP