The United States issued a travel advisory on Friday, cautioning its citizens against visiting areas near the India-Pakistan border and the Line of Control (LoC) due to risks associated with terrorism and potential armed conflict. The advisory also warned against travel to Pakistan’s Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, citing security threats.
According to reports, the US State Department urged travelers to “reconsider travel to Pakistan due to terrorism and the potential for armed conflict.” Areas along the LoC were placed under the “Level 4: Do Not Travel” category, with the advisory stating: “Do not travel to the India-Pakistan border, including areas along the Line of Control, for any reason. Militant groups operate in this region, and both India and Pakistan maintain a heavy military presence on their respective sides.”
The advisory also emphasised major security risks in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). It cautioned that violent extremist groups actively plan and carry out attacks, with terrorist incidents occurring frequently in these regions. These attacks have led to significant casualties, while smaller-scale incidents remain common.
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This remote Indian beach just made it to Asia’s Top 10—and it’s not where you think!According to the US Government, attacks on civilians, military personnel, and law enforcement agencies have become indiscriminate as a result of terrorist and extremist activity. It went on to say that terrorists frequently launch unexpected attacks, focussing on sites like government buildings, retail centres, universities, tourist destinations, airports, schools, hospitals, places of worship, and transportation hubs. There have also been other attacks on US diplomats and diplomatic facilities in Pakistan.
The advisory emphasized that Pakistan’s security situation remains unpredictable and can change rapidly. While Islamabad has better security infrastructure and response capabilities compared to other regions, threats persist nationwide.
For those traveling between India and Pakistan, the advisory noted that the only official border crossing for non-citizens is at the Wagah-Attari checkpoint in Punjab. Travelers were advised to confirm the crossing’s status before embarking on their journey, as an Indian visa is required for entry and no visa services are available at the border.
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Reports add that Balochistan was specifically designated as "Level 4: Do Not Travel" because of the regular terrorist strikes that target people, minorities, government buildings, and security personnel. In a similar vein, travel to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including the former FATA territories, was severely prohibited due to the active presence of terrorist and insurgency groups that frequently assault law enforcement, NGOs, civilians, and government institutions. There is still a significant risk of kidnappings and killings in these areas, especially against security officers and polio eradication teams.