The United States embassy in New Delhi warned Americans in the country about a potential threat from the Islamic State Group, based on Indian media reports. The embassy has alerted its citizens of an increased threat at areas "frequented by Westerners" including religious sites, markets and festival spaces. US citizens have been told to be very alert and to "take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness".
Titled "Security Message for US citizens", Tuesdays's alert also asks Americans to refer to the "Worldwide Caution", issued by the department after the militant attack on an Army camp in Jammu and Kashmir's Uri.
The caution said that India remained a target for terrorist and insurgent activities, a factor that may affect US citizens directly or indirectly. The state department-issued warning said, "Anti-Western terrorist groups active in India include Islamist extremist groups such as Harkat-ul-Jihad-i-Islami, Harakat ul-Mujahidin, Indian Mujahideen, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Lashkar-e Tayyiba. Past attacks have targeted public places, including some frequented by Westerners."
The caution referred to luxury and other hotels, trains, train stations, markets, cinemas, mosques, and restaurants in large urban areas as past and potential targets.
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