Islamabad: Terrorists may be planning an attack on Western hotels in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, the Australian foreign affairs department warned yesterday.But Pakistani officials and several hotels said they had no information on such a plot.
In a travel advisory, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade urged Australians to reconsider plans to visit Pakistan "due to the very high threat of terrorist attack."
"We continue to receive reports that terrorists are planning attacks against a range of targets, including places frequented by foreigners," the advisory said.
"Recent credible reporting indicates a potential terrorist threat against Western hotels in Islamabad." The department said there was further evidence that terrorists could be "planning attacks against Western, including Australian, individuals and interests in Peshawar, but we emphasise that attacks could occur at any time, anywhere in Pakistan."
In March, a suicide bombing near the US Consulate and the Marriott Hotel in Karachi killed a US diplomat and four others.
Pakistan's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman responded to the warning by saying it had no information on any plot to attack Western hotels in Pakistan.
"We don't have any information of this nature," Tasnim Aslam told reporters at a press conference.
Zulfiqar Ahmad, assistant general manager of the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad, said he is aware of no new terror threat against his hotel, but said it has been on "24-hour high alert" since the September 11, 2001 attacks.
"We are aware of the fact that we have an American brand name and the threat perception is high because of this," Ahmad said.
The head of security at another 5-star hotel, the Islamabad Serena Hotel, said there has been no specific threat or warning of an attack against the facility.
"This hotel is the most secure hotel in all of Pakistan," said Fahim Murtaza, a former army major who looks after security of the sprawling hotel.
Security is tight at major hotels in Islamabad, where armed guards screen cars and visitors for weapons before entry.
Re: Terrorists may be planning attack on western hotels
This doesn't surprise me. I would imagine Western hotels are always on heightened alert status in Pakistan and elsewhere. The problem is that it is hard if not impossible to stop many of these attacks.
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