US Embassy Issues Security Alert For American Travellers In J&K

India's Operation Sindoor struck terror camps in Pakistan and PoK. The US has issued a travel alert, urging people to avoid Jammu & Kashmir amid rising Indo-Pak tensions. Full details inside.

Security personnel keep vigil amid high alert in Pulwama, J&K, on Wednesday.

Source : PTI

Soon after India executed Operation Sindoor on Wednesday, May 7, the US Embassy in New Delhi issued a security alert for American travellers. In the alert, the US urged its citizens to avoid travelling to Jammu and Kashmir.

"The Indian Ministry of Defence confirmed launching Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025. As advised in the India Travel Advisory, US citizens should avoid travel to the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. As stated in the April 23, 2025, Security Alert, the US government personnel are prohibited from travelling to Jammu and Kashmir," the mission said in a statement.

Read our latest security alert here: https://t.co/q1WNyxOeOm pic.twitter.com/y3u6L7bIw2

— U.S. Embassy India (@USAndIndia) May 8, 2025

"The US Embassy and all consulates remain open for regular business," the statement added.

It further listed out actions to take:

• Avoid travel to Jammu and Kashmir.
• Monitor local media for updates.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program(STEP) to receive security updates.
• Notify friends and family of your safety.
• Review your personal security plan.
• Ensure your passport is valid for travel.

India on Wednesday destroyed 9 terror camps out of 21 identified ones in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The attacks were carried out using aerial strikes and artillery fire. These coordinated strikes were "focused, measured and non-escalatory retaliation", the Centre later said in a press briefing. The airstrikes reportedly killed around 110 terrorists. The attack started at 1:05 AM and ended at 1:30 AM.

The unprecedented tri-services operation, involving the Army, Navy, and Air Force, was India's response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, including that of a serving Navy officer and a Nepali national.

Shehbaz Sharif Gives 'Free Hand' To Military

Following the strike, Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif chaired a meeting of the National Security Council (NSC), which was attended by cabinet ministers, chief ministers, chiefs of all armed forces and senior officials.

The NSC meeting went on for more than two hours, and the security situation was discussed in detail. At the meeting, the Pakistan Army sought freedom to hit back. On this, Shehbaz Sharif reportedly gave a free hand to the Pakistani military, granting full authority to respond at a "time and place of their choosing".

In response, the Indian Air Force has also been given a free hand to engage and fire if they see anything suspicious.