Security increased at Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal is said to face a new threat

Security has been stepped up at India's revered Taj Mahal while police investigate an alleged threat by Kashmiri separatists to blow it up.

Last weekend, officials said the white marble mausoleum - one of the world's most famous buildings - would be covered in dark cloth to protect against possible bombing raids in the event of war with neighbouring Pakistan.

We cannot even think of blowing up the Taj Mahal. We are even opposed to attacks on Hindu temples or any place of worship of any other religion

Laskhar-e-Toiba spokesman

Police now say they are investigating an e-mail - believed to have been sent by a Kashmiri separatist militant group, Laskhar-e-Toiba - threatening to attack the celebrated monument.

A spokesman for the group, Abdullah Sayyaf, denied the organisation had issued such a threat, saying the allegations were Indian propaganda to discredit it.

He said his group opposed attacks against Hindu temples or any other places of worship.

Lashkar-e-Toiba is one of two militant organisations which India blames for last month's attack on the parliament complex in Delhi.

"We have already updated security arrangements, but in view of the new threat, plans are afoot to have some more measures," said Agra police chief R.R. Bhatnagar.

The mausoleum took 22 years to build

Last week officials said they would try to hide the 17th century mausoleum's dome and four minarets from any Pakistani air strike.

An Indian air base is located near the Taj Mahal in the city of Agra.

The Taj Mahal - a huge draw for tourists from across the world - has been the subject of security fears before. It has been closed at night since 1984, when Sikh militants threatened to attack it.

The monument was built by Emperor Shah Jehan to perpetuate the memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died in childbirth in 1630.