Islamabad: Amidst heightened alert in Islamabad, the US today issued a specific security advisory, saying it’s “aware” of a plot to target American citizens at Marriott Hotel in the Pakistan capital during the ongoing festival season.
In the advisory, the US Embassy in Islamabad asked the Mission staff and other American citizens not to visit the hotel.
The advisory said the Americans should avoid non-essential travel to Islamabad.
The Embassy advised US nationals to be vigilant if they are attending any events, or visiting religious places.
The Americans have been advised to stay away from places with large crowds.
It cited the Red Alert sounded in Islamabad and the ban imposed on public gatherings by the local authorities following a suicide bombing in the capital on Friday which killed 1 policeman and left 6 others injured.
Pakistan is on the edge ever since Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) ended ceasefire recently and announced plans to carry out attacks across the country.
Also read: Pakistan and Taliban: Brothers-turned-Enemies
The Islamabad suicide bombing was carried out by TTP.
The Marriott Hotel has already been targeted once on September 20, 2008 when a suicide bomber rammed his vehicle laden with hundreds of kilograms of explosives into the premises.
At least 54 people were killed and around 250 injured in the attack which caused severe damage to the hotel and forced its closure for several months.
