US issues worldwide caution on travel of its citizens

 The United States has issued a worldwide caution on overseas travel of its citizens, which includes India where it said there is an increased threat of terrorism.

"There is an increased threat of terrorism in India. Terrorists have targeted public places in India frequented by Westerners, including luxury and other hotels, trains, train stations, markets, cinemas, mosques, and restaurants in large urban areas," the State Department said in its latest global travel alert to its citizens.

Issuing the new travel alert, the Department reminded its citizens to maintain a high level of vigilance and take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness.
The Department of State remains concerned about the continued threat of terrorist attacks, demonstrations, and other violent actions against US citizens and interests overseas.

Current information suggests that al-Qaeda, its affiliates and other terrorist organisations continue to plan terror attacks against US interests in multiple regions, including Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

These attacks may employ a wide variety of tactics including suicide operations, assassinations, kidnappings, hijackings, and bombings, the State Department said.
Extremists may use conventional or non-conventional weapons and target both official and private interests, it said.

On South Asia, it said the government continue to receive information that terrorist groups in South and Central Asia may also be planning attacks in the region, possibly against US government facilities, its citizens, or its interests.

"The presence of al-Qaeda and its affiliates [Taliban elements, Lashkar-e-Taiba, indigenous sectarian groups, and other terror organizations], many of which are on the US government's list of Foreign Terror Organisations (FTOs), poses a potential danger to US citizens in the region," the State Department said.

Terrorists and their sympathisers have demonstrated their willingness and ability to attack targets where US citizens or Westerners are known to congregate or visit, it said, adding their actions may include, but are not limited to vehicle-born explosive attacks, improvised explosive device attacks, rocket attacks, assassinations, carjackings, assaults or kidnappings.