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Australia warns of terror attacks in India

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The Australian government has urged citizens to “exercise a high degree of caution” in India because of the risk of terror attacks.


Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said the warning applied to all parts of India.


It also said that militants may be planning attacks against upmarket hotels in Mumbai in particular.


The alert comes a day after the government issued similar advice for Australians travelling to Indonesia – advice echoed by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office.


The latest warning was issued on the Australian government’s Smart Traveller website on Tuesday.


“We continue to receive reports that terrorists are planning attacks in India and assess that attacks could occur anywhere at any time with little or no warning, including in locations frequented by Australians” the warning said.


This information was still under investigation, the advice said.


The advice warned against all travel to large parts of the state of Jammu and Kashmir “due to the danger of armed clashes, terrorist activities and violent demonstrations, particularly in rural areas and areas close to the border with Pakistan”.


The government’s “exercise a high degree of caution” alert is a step up from its “exercise normal safety precautions” warning but not as strong as “reconsider your need to travel” or “do not travel” warnings.


Militants attacked high-profile targets in Mumbai, killing 165 people in November 2008.


The advice follows a warning from the US government on January 3 of a potential threat against US-associated hotels and banks in Surabaya, Indonesia’s second-largest city.

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