The United States has issued a travel warning for India in the wake of the horrific terrorist attack in Pahelgam, Kashmir, India. The US State Department issued new guidelines for travel to India in a statement on Wednesday. It has advised that at least the second level of alert (Level 2) should be observed for travel to any part of India. However, the highest level of alert (Level 4) has been issued for four regions, meaning that travel to these places should be avoided altogether.

At least 26 people have been killed in the recent terrorist attack in Pahelgam, most of whom were tourists. It is considered the deadliest attack in the Kashmir Valley since the Pulwama attack in 2019.

The US warning states that terrorist attacks and violent unrest can occur at any time in the Jammu and Kashmir region. As a result, it has been advised not to travel to the region (however, travel to Ladakh and the capital Leh is allowed). It has also urged people to avoid the area, citing the risk of possible armed conflict along the 10-kilometer area of ​​the India-Pakistan border.

Due to Maoist and Naxal activity, US officials will need to obtain permission before traveling to most parts of Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Meghalaya and Odisha. Similarly, prior permission will be required for travel to eastern parts of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.

The US has placed the state of Manipur under a 'Level 4' alert due to the high risk of violence and crime, meaning travel is strictly discouraged. In addition, some states in northeastern India have been advised to exercise caution due to ethnic violence. US government officials will need permission before traveling to areas outside the capitals of Assam, Mizoram, Nagaland, Meghalaya and Tripura, as well as Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.

Source: US Indian Embassy