US alerts its citizens in Bangladesh

The US Department of State yesterday updated its regular travel information and alerted US citizens in Bangladesh to the ongoing potential for extremist violence in Bangladesh.

The US, however, said the government of Bangladesh had taken steps to pursue extremists and strengthen security and thousands of US citizens visited each year without incident.

Nevertheless, US citizens should take precautions and be alert to local security developments, according to the travel alert.

Additionally, it said groups saying they represent Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) claimed responsibility for a series of threats and terrorist attacks targeting writers, publishers, and others in the media, including the murder of a US citizen blogger.

It said the US officials and their families currently were not permitted to visit many public places and attend large gatherings in Bangladesh, including events at international hotels.

The updated alert is almost similar to the November 10, 2015 Travel Alert.

According to the previous and updated alerts, "terrorist attacks could occur against foreigners in Bangladesh, especially in large gatherings. The US government assesses that the terrorist threat remains real and credible, and further attacks are possible."