US, UK ask their citizens not to visit Islamabad’s Marriott Hotel

New Delhi: The U.S. government in their travel advisory on December 25, 2022, said that the “US government is aware of information that unknown individuals are possibly plotting to attack Americans at the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad sometime during the holidays.”

The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) also advised its staff and citizens in Pakistan against visiting Marriott hotels and some other designated places.

The US travel advisory ordered with immediate effect that “Effective immediately, the Embassy in Islamabad is prohibiting all American staff from visiting Islamabad’s Marriott Hotel.”

“Furthermore, as Islamabad has been placed on a Red Alert citing security concerns while banning all public gatherings, the embassy is urging all Mission personnel to refrain from non-essential, unofficial travel in Islamabad throughout the holiday season.”

They asked their citizens to exercise vigilance at events, and places of worship, and avoid locations with large crowds; review their security plans, Carry identification and follow requests from law enforcement, be aware of your surroundings, Monitor local media for updates.

The United Kingdom travel advisory in addition to the possible attack on the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad issued advises against all travel to the districts of Baujar, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Kurram, North Waziristan and South Waziristan in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Province, the districts of Charsadda, Kohat, Tank, Bannu, Lakki, Dera Ismail Khan, Swat, Buner and Lower Dir in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the city and district of Peshawar, travel on the N45 road, from the north of the Mardan ring-road, to the edge of the district of Chitral, Balochistan province, excluding the southern coast of Balochistan, the section of the N35 (or Karakoram Highway) between the Mansehra ring road and the N15/N35 Chilas interchange and within 10 miles of the Line of Control.

The US asked its citizens to exercise vigilance at events, places of worship, and avoid locations with large crowds; review your personal security plans, Carry identification and follow requests from law enforcement, be aware of your surroundings, Monitor local media for updates.

Meanwhile, violence in Pakistan and a series of blasts and suicidal attacks continue. Five explosions took place in Balochistan on Sunday, Christmas Day left five soldiers, including a captain, killed and fifteen persons injured, the Pakistani Media said.

A statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that during an intelligence-based clearance operation — which has been underway since December 24 — an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded near a "leading party" in Kohlu district's Kahan area. As a result, five soldiers including a captain were killed

Describing the incident as an "externally perpetrated "threat of terrorism" the ISPR said that "such cowardly acts by inimical elements cannot sabotage the hard-earned peace and prosperity in Balochistan".

At least five grenades were thrown at security positions across Balochistan, injuring several civilians and security force persons.

In a shootout with terrorists today morning, one soldier was killed while two others got injured in Baluchistan’s Zhob, according to a statement issued by the ISPR.

According to the local media, the blasts took place when Pakistan was celebrating the 146th birthday of the founder of Pakistan, Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Christmas.

In the past few weeks, Pakistan had witnessed several suicidal militant attacks, including when several security persons were taken hostage in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Bannu city where the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants seized control of the Counter-Terrorism Department's compound. The troops killed 25 militants of TTP.

There have also been border clashes between Afghan and Pakistani soldiers at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Balochistan's Chaman city.