US Warns Citizens Against Terrorism: US State Department issues travel alert for Bangladesh

The US state department has just issued a travel warning for residents and travelers to Bangladesh. It claimed that there is reliable information that terrorist attacks could occur against foreigners in the traditionally moderate South Asian country.

Bangladesh has been rocked by a number of attacks this year claimed by Islamic extremists. These activities showing violence include the killings of secular bloggers and of an Italian aid worker and a Japanese agricultural worker. The department's alert issued the alert as there's ongoing potential for extremist violence, including against large gatherings of foreigners.

The US Department of State has urged the US citizens who travel to Bangladesh to exercise appropriate caution and maintain a high level of vigilance in light of recent violent attacks. "Although thousands of US citizens visit each year without incident, US citizens, residing in or traveling to Bangladesh, are urged to exercise caution while in the country," the advisory updated on Tuesday said via The Financial Express.

According to NDTV, Bangladesh- native and also a US writer, Avijit Roy was hacked to death by unknown murderers on February 26. Moreover, the Blogger, Washiqur Rahman was killed in central Dhaka on March 30. Writer and blogger Ananta Bijoy Das was also murdered in a similar attack in northeastern city of Sylhet on May 12. Two foreigners, namely Cesare Tavella and a 66-year old Japanese farmer have also been killed in the last two months. The deaths of these two travelers were claimed as an attack by IS.

The strict restrictions have been forced on movements of U.S. government officials and their families. The department reportedly restricts them from most public places and from attending events at international hotels. The Islamic State group also asserted the responsibility for the attacks on the two foreigners, but Bangladesh's government has been constantly putting the blame on the domestic Islamic militants, as reported by The News Herald.

Meanwhile, the alert notice of the US Department also urges other US citizens in Bangladesh to take similar precautions when in the country. This travel alert is set to expire on February 2, 2016. The information of the US warning is now available on the website of the US Department of State.