US sees threat of more attacks on foreigners

Fear not realistic, says home minister

The United States has issued a fresh travel alert valid for about three months stating reliable information suggests that terrorist attacks could occur against foreigners in Bangladesh.
Mentioning the previous attacks against foreign nationals, Shia Muslim gathering, and bloggers and publishers, the travel alert also said that the terrorist threat remains real and credible and there may be further attacks.
However, the US Embassy in Dhaka said that the alert does not reflect a new threat, rather it informs the public of the existing threat.
“The Department of State alerts US citizens to concerns about the ongoing potential for extremist violence in Bangladesh. US citizens who travel to Bangladesh are urged to exercise appropriate caution and maintain a high level of vigilance in light of recent violent attacks,” said the travel alert posted on the website of the US Embassy in Dhaka yesterday.
“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,” it said, adding that the alert expires on February 2, 2016.

The travel alert went on to say, “There is reliable information to suggest that terrorist attacks could occur against foreigners in Bangladesh, including against large gatherings of foreigners.”
Since September, Bangladesh has experienced violent attacks directed at individual foreigners and minority communities, including the September 28 murder of an Italian national, the October 3 murder of a Japanese national, and the October 24 bombings of a religious procession of Shia Muslims, it said.
“The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) publicly claimed all three attacks. Additionally, during 2015 there has been a series of threats and terrorist attacks targeting writers, publishers, and others in the media, including the murder of a US citizen blogger,” said the alert.
“The US government assesses that the terrorist threat remains real and credible, and further attacks are possible,” it added.
“US citizens travelling to or residing in Bangladesh should take precautions,
remain vigilant about their personal security, and be alert to local security developments,” said the alert.
When contacted, Nancy T. VanHorn, the spokesperson for the US Embassy in Dhaka, told The Independent in an email communiqué, “The US government assesses that the terrorist threat remains real and credible, and further attacks are possible.”
“The Alert does not reflect a new threat. The Alert is intended to inform the public of the existing threat, given the increased numbers of foreigners expected to travel in the near future for large-scale public events,” she said.
UNB adds: Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan yesterday said there is ‘no such reality’ on the US’ fear for more terrorist attacks on foreigners in Bangladesh, including against large  gatherings of foreigners “We don’t have such information.
There’s no such reality,” he told reporters when his comment was sought on the US’ fresh travel alert.
The Home Minister said why the US issued the updated travel alert with specific timeframe is unknown to him. “It’s absolutely their matter.”
Responding to another question, Khan said there is no worry to visit Bangladesh by foreigners. “We always say this to foreigners and our people.”

US sees threat of more attacks on foreigners

Fear not realistic, says home minister

The United States has issued a fresh travel alert valid for about three months stating reliable information suggests that terrorist attacks could occur against foreigners in Bangladesh. Mentioning the previous attacks against foreign nationals, Shia Muslim gathering, and bloggers and publishers, the travel alert also said that the terrorist threat remains real and credible and there may be further attacks. However, the US Embassy in Dhaka said that the alert does not reflect a new threat, rather it informs the public of the existing threat. The Department of State alerts US citizens to concerns about the ongoing potential for extremist violence in Bangladesh. US citizens who travel to Bangladesh are urged to exercise appropriate caution and maintain a high level of vigilance in light of recent violent attacks, said the travel alert posted on the website of the US Embassy in Dhaka yesterday. 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, it said, adding that the alert expires on February 2, 2016. The travel alert went on to say, There is reliable information to suggest that terrorist attacks could occur against foreigners in Bangladesh, including against large gatherings of foreigners. Since September, Bangladesh has experienced violent attacks directed at individual foreigners and minority communities, including the September 28 murder of an Italian national, the October 3 murder of a Japanese national, and the October 24 bombings of a religious procession of Shia Muslims, it said. The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) publicly claimed all three attacks. Additionally, during 2015 there has been a series of threats and terrorist attacks targeting writers, publishers, and others in the media, including the murder of a US citizen blogger, said the alert. The US government assesses that the terrorist threat remains real and credible, and further attacks are possible, it added. US citizens travelling to or residing in Bangladesh should take precautions, remain vigilant about their personal security, and be alert to local security developments, said the alert. When contacted, Nancy T. VanHorn, the spokesperson for the US Embassy in Dhaka, told The Independent in an email communiqu, The US government assesses that the terrorist threat remains real and credible, and further attacks are possible. The Alert does not reflect a new threat. The Alert is intended to inform the public of the existing threat, given the increased numbers of foreigners expected to travel in the near future for large-scale public events, she said. UNB adds: Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan yesterday said there is no such reality on the US fear for more terrorist attacks on foreigners in Bangladesh, including against large gatherings of foreigners We dont have such information. Theres no such reality, he told reporters when his comment was sought on the US fresh travel alert. The Home Minister said why the US issued the updated travel alert with specific timeframe is unknown to him. Its absolutely their matter. Responding to another question, Khan said there is no worry to visit Bangladesh by foreigners. We always say this to foreigners and our people.