ISIS threat in India? US issues terror alert to citizens travelling to country

New Delhi: The United States on Tuesday issued an advisory to its citizens in India, asking them to maintain a high level of vigilance, as reports indicted ISIS's desire to attack targets in India. 

"Recent Indian media reports indicate ISIL's desire to attack targets in India. The US Embassy warns of an increased threat to places in India frequented by Westerners, such as religious sites, markets, and festivals venues," the US Embassy in India said in a statement. 

Calling on Americans to be highly vigilant, the statement further asserted that citizens must take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness as detailed in the State Department's Worldwide Caution of September 9, 2016, which says that "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-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, such as luxury and other hotels, trains, train stations, markets, cinemas, mosques, and restaurants in large urban areas.