London: The UK has warned its citizens traveling abroad that they could be targeted by terrorists seeking revenge for British air strikes against Islamic State (IS) militants in the Middle East. The UK Foreign Office (FCO) has updated its travel advice for all destinations.
It urges Britons living or travelling overseas to be "vigilant" because of the threat from those "motivated by the conflict in Iraq and Syria". In reference to India, the general advice reads - "There is a high threat from terrorism throughout India. Recent attacks have targeted public places including those visited by foreigners".
"The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all travel in the immediate vicinity of the border with Pakistan, other than at Wagah," it adds. The FCO said it was responding to the "generalised threat" rather than warnings of a specific attack.
Parliament backed British participation in air strikes against IS extremists in Iraq in September, at the invitation of the Iraqi government. According to reports, RAF aircraft are conducting flights almost daily. IS has seized large parts of both Iraq and Syria, up to the Turkish border.
The new advice comes after the UK national terror threat level was raised from "substantial" to "severe" in August, meaning an attack was "highly likely".
The updated information, being added to all travel advice pages on the FCO website, states - "There is considered to be a heightened threat of terrorist attacks globally against UK interests and British nationals from groups or individuals motivated by the conflict in Iraq and Syria. You should be vigilant at this time". The FCO has advised against all travel to Syria and warned Britons already there to leave.
It has also advised against all travel to most of northern and western Iraq, and against all but essential travel to the rest of the country.
