US warns of ISIS terror threats to places in India frequented by Westerners
Los angeles : Citing Islamic State terror threat, the US embassy on Tuesday asked American citizens in India to remain vigilant. A special advisory was issued not just for tourists but the move was a part of a call to attention to the 'worldwide caution' issued by the US State Department last month.
According to media reports the Islamic State (ISIS) is planning to carry out terror attacks in India.
A statement tweeted by the US State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs reads, "Recent Indian media reports indicate ISIL's desire to attack targets in India. The U.S. Embassy warns of an increased threat to places in India frequented by Westerners, such as religious sites, markets, and festival venues. All U.S. citizens are reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance and take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness as detailed in the State Department's Worldwide Caution of September 9, 2016."
US Embassy New Delhi warns of an increased threat to places in India frequented by Westerners, such as religious sites, markets.. pic.twitter.com/g7lOmZPlID
— Travel - State Dept (@TravelGov) November 1, 2016
Notably,, US State Department has two categories of notices to warn American travellers of potential dangers- one is 'Travel Warning' that warns travelers to visit a particular country or not. Such alert mainly deals with short-term risks like cyclones, diseases or other weather events.
However, the other one is part of the 'Worldwide Caution' that involves bigger threats like terrorist and insurgent activities which may affect U.S. citizens directly or indirectly.
It may be noted that the anti-Western terrorist groups active in India include Islamist extremist groups such as Harkat-ul-Jihad-i-Islami, Harakat ul-Mujahidin, Indian Mujahideen, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Lashkar-e Tayyiba.
In the past,, attacks have taken place in areas which have been frequented by Westerners, such as luxury and other hotels, trains, train stations, markets, cinemas, mosques, and restaurants in large urban areas.
The Mumbai Taj attack in 2008 was one such deadly terror attack which left several westerners dead in India.
