Low-intensity explosions in India's Agra

Two explosions rocked Agra in India's Uttar Pradesh State on Saturday.

Delhi Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 18 March 2017, 05:54 AM
Updated : 18 March 2017, 08:03 AM

Police said no damage or casualties were reported so far.

This comes after the Middle East-based Islamic State (IS) had reportedly threatened to blow up the iconic Taj Mahal in Agra, some 200 kilometres south of capital New Delhi.

The Taj Mahal, built in the 17th century by Mughal Emperor Shahjahan, is one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

The first explosion took place near the Agra Cantonment Railway Station when civic staff were collecting garbage from a dumping site, police said.

About 45 minutes later, another explosion took place in a locality near the station.

Officials of security agencies and police have rushed to the spot.

Indian intelligence has been reporting heightened activity by IS modules after the explosions in a train in neighbouring state of Madhya Pradesh.

It says the IS, after suffering military reverses in Iraq and Syria, are trying to garner publicity mileage and project a global profile by staging attacks in South Asia.

Agra is already on high alert after Middle East-based IS warned of attacks in India and published a graphic depicting the Taj Mahal as a possible target.

More than 6 million tourists visit the Taj Mahal every year. Reuters file photo

The graphic by the 'Ahwaal Ummat Media Center' was posted on a channel of encrypted communication app 'Telegram' on Mar 14, according to Site Intelligence Group, which tracks jihadist activities on the web.

A threat letter has also been reportedly found near the Agra Cantonment Railway Station, but details of the contents were not available.

State police chief Mahesh Kumar Mishra says investigations have started, as the explosions follows reports of an attempt to derail the Andaman Express on Friday night.

“Both the blasts were followed by smoke. A team of forensic experts and a bomb disposal squad have been called to inspect the spot,” said Mishra.