Australians have been warned of fresh threats of terrorist attacks in Pakistan, and being urged to reconsider the need to travel to the Asian nation.
Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) on Tuesday reissued its travel advisory for Pakistan.
The overall level of the advise remained at "reconsidering your need to travel." The level for federally-administered tribal areas, and areas adjacent to Pakistan's borders with Afghanistan and India is "do not travel," which is the top level.
"We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to Pakistan at this time due to the very high threat of terrorist attack and the unpredictable security situation," said DFAT in its advisory.
"If you do decide to travel to Pakistan, you should exercise extreme caution. We continue to receive reports that terrorists are planning attacks against a range of targets, including places frequented by foreigners," it said.
"Recent credible reporting indicates a potential terrorist threat against Western hotels in Islamabad," it said.
Recent reports suggest that terrorists are planning attacks against Western, including Australian, individuals and interests in Peshawar, said DFAT, adding "we emphasize that attacks could occur at any time, anywhere in Pakistan."
The suicide bombing in Karachi on March 2, 2006, which killed four people including a U.S. diplomat, demonstrates that terrorist continue to target Western interests, it said.
"We strongly advise you not to travel to the federally- administered tribal areas and areas adjacent to Pakistan's borders with Afghanistan and India (particularly near the Line of Control in Kashmir) due to security concerns," it said.
(Xinhua News Agency August 23, 2006)
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