US, UK advisories ask citizens to be alert and vigilant

NEW DELHI: The US and the UK have issued travel alerts to their citizens asking them to be vigilant and alert in India in the wake of the Pune bomb attack on a bakery frequented by foreigners.

The US in a warden message on Sunday asked its citizens to be alert “to the continued possibility of terrorist attacks in India” and noted that the attack was on a bakery popular among westerners.

“The February 13 terrorist bombing in a bakery frequented by westerners in Pune, Maharashtra, serves as a reminder that terrorists and their sympathisers are capable of attacking targets where US citizens or Westerners are known to congregate or visit,” the message said.

The message further asked citizens to “always practice good security, maintaining a heightened situational awareness and a low profile”. The message also asked American citizens to vary their routes and times in carrying out daily activities.

Similarly, the UK also amended its travel summary following the latest terror attack in India and noted that the terror target was a place frequented by foreigners.

Asking nationals to remain vigilant, the British Foreign Office said in its travel advice that there was “high general threat” from terrorism in India.

“On February 13 a bomb exploded in a bakery/coffee shop in Pune killing nine and injuring up to 53 people. Foreigners were among the casualties. British nationals are reminded to remain vigilant in public places,” the amended message said.