New Delhi, September 13
In a step that is bound to annoy New Delhi, the US State Department has warned American citizens of the possibility of terrorist attacks throughout India during the current festive season, which includes several holidays as well as the period surrounding the commemoration of the September 11 terror attacks.
“The November 2008 attacks in Mumbai provided a vivid reminder that hotels and other public places are especially attractive targets for terrorist groups. US citizens are urged always to practice good security, maintain a heightened situational awareness and a low profile,” the department said in a travel alert on India posted on the US Embassy website.
The Americans were 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 during the season, which includes festivals like Dussehra, Eid and Diwali. The travel advisory expires on October 30.
This is not the first time that the US has issued such an advisory. It keeps cautioning its citizens in India from time to time about the level of threat to their lives while staying in this country.
India has as a matter of routine objected to such travel alerts, contending they presented a distorted picture of the security situation in this country. The Americans have, however, argued that that their security warnings were largely based on the Indian Government’s own concerns about the terror threat.
