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In view of the horrific terrorist attacks in France, the US has issued a caution for its citizens worldwide, including in India, saying attacks against Americans are becoming increasingly prevalent.
"Recent terrorist attacks, whether by those affiliated with terrorist entities, copycats, or individual perpetrators, serve as a reminder that US citizens need to maintain a high level of vigilance and take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness," the State Department said.
Giving details of the threats that the US assets and Americans face worldwide, State Department said India continues to experience terrorist and insurgent activities which may affect US citizens directly or indirectly.
"Anti-Western terrorist groups active in India include Islamist extremist groups such as Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami, Harkat-ul-Mujahideen, Indian Mujahideen, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Lashkar-e-Tayyiba," it said, adding that it remains concerned about the continued threat of terror attacks, demonstrations, and other violence against US citizens and interests overseas.
"Past attacks have targeted public places, including some frequented by Westerners, such as luxury and other hotels, trains, train stations, markets, cinemas, mosques, and restaurants in large urban areas. Attacks have taken place during the busy evening hours in markets and other crowded places, but could occur at any time," the statement said.
The US government continues to receive information that terrorist groups in South Asia may be planning attacks in the region, possibly against US government facilities, its citizens, or US interests, it said.
The presence of Al-Qaeda, Taliban elements, LeT, indigenous sectarian groups, and other terror organisations, many of which are on the US government's list of designated Foreign Terrorist Organisations, poses a potential danger to US citizens in the region.
Terrorists and their sympathisers have demonstrated their willingness and ability to attack locations where US citizens or Westerners are known to congregate or visit. It said the presence of several foreign and indigenous terrorist groups poses a danger to US citizens throughout Pakistan.
No province in Afghanistan should be considered immune from violence and crime, and a strong possibility exists throughout the country for hostile acts, either targeted or random, against US and other foreign nationals at any time, it added.
Elements of the former Taliban regime and members of other terrorist organisations hostile to the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and foreign nationals remain active in every province of the country.
The threat situation in Afghanistan is still considered critical and is expected to remain so through the current political and military transition, it said.
The State Department further said current information suggests that ISIL, Al-Qaeda, its affiliated organisations, and other terrorist groups continue to plan terrorist attacks against US and Western interests in Europe.
Authorities believe the likelihood of a terror attack in Europe is increased as European members of ISIL return from Syria and Iraq, it said.
Additionally, there is a continuing threat in Europe from unaffiliated persons planning attacks inspired by major terrorist organisations but conducted on an individual basis.
In the past several years, organised extremist attacks have been planned or carried out in various European countries. European governments have taken action to guard against terrorist attacks, and some have made official declarations regarding heightened threat conditions, it added.
On Friday, three terrorists who seized hostages at separate locations and ignited fear across Paris were killed along with three of their hostages as the gunmen clashed with thousands of French security forces.
France has been on high alert since the country's worst terror attack in decades the massacre on Wednesday in Paris at the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo that left 12 people dead.
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