'Don't Travel To Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur...': US Revises Travel Advisory For India

"Exercise increased caution in India due to crime and terrorism.  Some areas have increased risk," stated the US Department of State in its advisory. 

The travel advisory issued by US has asked its nationals not to travel to Manipur and Jammu and Kashmir.

Source : PTI

The United States has asked its nationals not to travel to Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur, the India-Pakistan border, and parts of central and eastern India with active Naxalite operations. Overall, India has been placed at Level 2, implying "increased caution" but graded several places within the country to Level 4. 

 

"Exercise increased caution in India due to crime and terrorism.  Some areas have increased risk," stated the US Department of State in its advisory. 

 

"Do not travel to: The union territory of Jammu and Kashmir (except the eastern Ladakh region and its capital, Leh) due to terrorism and civil unrest; within 10 km of the India-Pakistan border due to the potential for armed conflict; portions of Central and East India due to terrorism and Manipur due to violence and crime," said the State Department.

 

 

It also advised to "reconsider" travel to northeastern states due to "terrorism" and "violence". 

 

"Indian authorities report that rape is one of the fastest growing crimes in India. Violent crime, such as sexual assault, has happened at tourist sites and other locations," the advisory stated, adding: "Terrorists may attack with little or no warning. They target tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and government facilities." 

 

The State Department said that the US government has "limited ability" to provide emergency services to the US citizens in rural areas. 

 

"These areas stretch from eastern Maharashtra and northern Telangana through western West Bengal. U.S. government employees must get special authorization to travel to these areas," it said. 

 

Terrorist attacks and violent civil unrest are possible in Jammu and Kashmir, said the State Department as it put the Union Territory on Level 4. 

 

"Do not travel to this state (with the exception of visits to the eastern Ladakh region and its capital, Leh). Violence happens sporadically in this area and is common along the Line of Control (LOC) between India and Pakistan," the advisory stated. 

 

"India and Pakistan have a strong military presence on both sides of the border. The only official border crossing for non-citizens of India or Pakistan is in Punjab. It is between Attari, India, and Wagah, Pakistan.  The border crossing is usually open, but check its current status before you travel," it added. 

 

"Do not travel to Manipur due to threat of violence and crime," flagged the advisory. "Ongoing ethnic-based civil conflict has resulted in reports of extensive violence and community displacement. Attacks against Indian government targets occur on a regular basis.  U.S. government employees travelling in India require prior approval before visiting Manipur," it added.