The United States has advised its citizens against traveling to Manipur, Jammu and Kashmir, the India-Pakistan border, and certain regions in central and eastern India where Naxalite activity is prevalent.
In an updated travel advisory for India, the State Department noted changes reflecting the situation in the northeastern states.
“Exercise increased caution in India due to crime and terrorism. Some areas have increased risk,” the advisory stated.
India is generally rated Level 2 for travel safety. However, specific regions are classified as Level 4: Jammu and Kashmir, the India-Pakistan border, Manipur, and parts of Central and East India.
The State Department warned, “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.”
Additionally, it advised reconsidering 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. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning. They target tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and government facilities,” the advisory said.
The US government’s ability to provide emergency services in rural areas is limited. These regions include parts of eastern Maharashtra and northern Telangana through western West Bengal. US government employees must get special authorization to travel to these areas.
For Manipur, which is placed at Level 4, the State Department stated, “Do not travel to Manipur due to the threat of violence and crime. 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. US government employees traveling in India require prior approval before visiting Manipur.” Similarly, Jammu and Kashmir face the risk of terrorist attacks and violent civil unrest. “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. It also occurs in tourist spots in the Kashmir Valley: Srinagar, Gulmarg, and Pahalgam. The Indian government does not allow foreign tourists to visit certain areas along the LOC,” it stated.
The advisory also noted the strong military presence of both India and Pakistan on their 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. To enter Pakistan, you need a Pakistani visa. Only US citizens residing in India may apply for a Pakistani visa in India. Otherwise, apply for a Pakistani visa in your home country before traveling to India,” it stated.
Maoist extremist groups, or “Naxalites,” are active across a significant portion of India, stretching from eastern Maharashtra and northern Telangana through western West Bengal, according to the advisory.
Sporadic attacks against Indian government officers continue in rural areas of Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand that border Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and Odisha. The southwest areas of Odisha are also impacted. Naxalites have carried out numerous terrorist attacks, targeting local police, paramilitary forces, and government officials.
Due to these threats, US government employees need permission to travel to most areas in Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Meghalaya, and Odisha. However, this permission is not required for travel solely to the capital cities of these states. Approval is also necessary for travel to the eastern regions of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.
Northeastern states have been classified as Level 3: Reconsider Travel. “Ethnic insurgent groups occasionally commit acts of violence in parts of the northeast. These incidents include bombings of buses, trains, rail lines, and markets. There have been no recent reports of violence in Assam, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Sikkim, or Tripura,” the advisory said.
“US government employees traveling in India require prior approval before visiting the states of Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh, as well as when visiting any areas outside of the capital cities of Assam, Mizoram, Nagaland, Meghalaya, and Tripura,” it added.
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