ISLAMABAD – The US State Department has responded to a violent escalationin fighting along the border between nuclear rivals India and Pakistan witha travel warning that also warns women against a troubling rise in sexualviolence.
India and Pakistan, bitter rivals for decades, have been fighting insideKashmir, a disputed border region which each country administers in part.The fighting kicked off after a February 16 terror attack killed 40 Indiansecurity forces.
Air battles, shelling, and ground fighting have followed sporadically sincethat attack, with planes being shot down and Pakistan temporarily closingits airspace.
Now, the State Department has called for “increased caution in India due tocrime and terrorism,” and for US citizens to stay at least 10 kilometresaway from the disputed border region, and not to enter Kashmir at all.
“Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting touristlocations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and governmentfacilities,” State warned.
State also cautioned about the larger India-Pakistan border, ethnicinsurgent groups in the northeastern states of India, and Maoist extremistgroups in Central and Eastern India.
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Across India, the world’s largest democracy, State cautioned that “rape isone of the fastest growing crimes in India.”
“Violent crime, such as sexual assault, has occurred at tourist sites andin other locations,” the warning continued.
“If you decide to travel to India, do not travel alone, particularly if youare a woman,” the statement read, linking to a guide for women travellers.
