US issues fresh alert on travel to India

With United States and Israeli intelligence warning of fresh terror strikes in India, the American government has warned its citizens travelling to the country to take safety precautions.

A travel advisory was initially issued ahead of the festive season in October, as intelligence reports came in about terror groups out to get maximum mileage from another Mumbai-like strike in major Indian cities.

The fresh travel alert was posted on the state department website on Friday, after the Federal Bureau of Investigation busted a plot involving American David Coleman Headley, and a Canadian national of Pakistan origin, Tahawar Hussain Rana, with links to the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), which has been blamed for several terror strikes.

“Terrorists and their sympathisers have demonstrated their willingness and capability to attack targets that Americans or westerners are known to congregate or visit,” the state department alert said.

Many foreigners, including American citizens, were killed in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
“US citizens are urged always to practice good security, maintain a heightened situational awareness and a low profile. Americans are advised to monitor local news reports and consider the level of security present when visiting public places, including religious sites, or choosing hotels, restaurants, entertainment and recreation venues,” the alert said.

The state department said it continued to receive information that terror groups are planning fresh strikes in India.