Exercise caution while going to India, avoid Pakistan: US to its citizens

An Afghan soldier (centre) watches Pakistani troops at the Pakistan-Afghanistan Torkham border crossing point in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province’s Khyber district. Pic/AFP

The US has issued a level two and three travel advisories for India and Pakistan, saying while American citizens are urged to reconsider travel to Pakistan due to terrorism and sectarian violence, those going to India must exercise increased caution due to crime and terrorism. In its advisory issued on Monday for India, the US State Department urged US citizens not to travel to Jammu and Kashmir due to terrorism and civil unrest, and also within 10 kilometres of the India-Pakistan border due to the potential for armed conflict.

"Indian authorities report rape is one of the fastest-growing crimes in India. Violent crimes, such as sexual assault, has occurred at tourist sites and in other locations," it said. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and government facilities, it said. The US government has limited ability to provide emergency services to US citizens in rural areas from eastern Maharashtra and northern Telangana through western West Bengal as US government employees must obtain special authorisation to travel to these areas, the notice said.

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