WASHINGTON – The United States Administration of President Donald Trump haswarned Americans to exercise maximum caution while travelling to India dueto a spurt in crime and terrorism, Zee News has reported.
The advisory has been issued by the US State Department, which asked theAmerican citizens to avoid going to occupied Jammu and Kashmir except forthe Buddhist-dominated region of Ladakh.
The State Department had on Wednesday launched improvements on sharinginformation with US travellers to provide clear, timely and reliable safetyand security information.
“Exercise increased caution in India due to crime and terrorism. Some areashave increased risk,” the State Department advisory said.
It asked Americans not to travel to Jammu and Kashmir (except Ladakh regionand its capital Leh) due to terrorism and civil unrest.
It also warned of potential armed conflict within 10 km of theIndia-Pakistan border in the state.
“The Indian authorities report rape is one of the fastest growing crimes inIndia. Violent crime, such as sexual assault, has occurred at tourist sitesand in other locations,” the advisory said.
“Terrorist or armed groups are active in East Central India, primarily inrural areas,” the advisory said, referring to the armed Naxalites.
“Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting touristlocations, transportation hubs, markets and shopping malls and localgovernment facilities,”’it said.
“The US government has limited ability to provide emergency services to UScitizens in rural areas from eastern Maharashtra and northern Telanganathrough western West Bengal as US government employees must obtain specialauthorization to travel to these areas,” it said.
The advisory further suggested that Americans desiring to visit India mustnot travel alone, particularly if they were women.
“US citizens who travel abroad should always have a contingency plan foremergency situations,” the advisory said.
“Due to the fluid nature of the threat, all US government travellers tostates with Naxalite activity must receive special authorization from theUS Consulate responsible for the area to be visited. US officialstravelling only to the capital cities in these states do not need priorauthorization,” it added.