Lucknow, Nov 30 (IANS): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) vice president Vinay Katiyar, a member of the Shri Ram Janma Bhoomi Mukti Yagya Samiti since 1984, Tuesday claimed threat to his life from unidentified Islamic extremists, Uttar Pradesh police said.

Katiyar, who shot to fame for spearheading the Ayodhya temple movement in the late 1980s and early 1990s and was the founder president of the Bajrang Dal, lodged a first information report (FIR) with the Ram Janmabhoomi police station in Ayodhya alleging that he received a threatening call from an unidentified caller in Dubai.

According to the FIR registered Tuesday, the call was received on the mobile phone belonging to Katiyar's son.

The Uttar Pradesh government has referred the matter to the special task force (STF).

"We have asked the STF to probe into Mr. Katiyar's complaint," Inspector General (Law and Order) Bhavesh Kumar Singh told reporters.

Unofficial sources said that Katiyar's real intent may be to create a hype with a view to ensuring continuation of his special security cover.