US cautions citizens against overseas travel, including India

Washington, Jul 19: The United States has issued a fresh travel advisory on overseas travel to its citizens, including India which "continues to experience terrorist and insurgent activities."

"India continues to experience terrorist and insurgent activities which may affect US citizens directly or indirectly," the State Department said in its new worldwide travel alert for its citizens. "Anti-Western terrorist groups, some on the US government's list of designated Foreign Terrorist Organisations, are active in India, including Islamist extremist groups such as Harkat-ul-Jihad-i-Islami, Harakat ul-Mujahidin, Indian Mujahideen, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Lashkar-e-Tayyiba," it said.

"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. US citizens are reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness, the State Department said, adding that it 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-Qaida, its affiliated organisations and other terrorist organisations continue to plan terrorist attacks against US interests in multiple regions, including Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East," the advisory said.

PTI